Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Joey Chestnut, the world’s No.1-ranked competitive eater, set a new world record today in the rib-eating discipline at the Nugget World Rib Eating Championships during the 20^th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off.

Chestnut, the event’s two-time defending champion consumed an impressive 9.8 pounds of pork rib meat. The former world record was 8.4 pounds, set by Chestnut in 2006. Top-ranked eater Pat Bertoletti finished in second place, consuming 7.4 pounds, a mark that was better than the Nugget event’s former record of seven pounds.

The competitors all commented on the ease with which the meat came off the bone this year, complementing the event’s staff and chefs for preparing world-record-ready food.

“This is by far is the best the competition has been here at the Nugget,” Chestnut said. “I knew when I saw the ribs that we were going to eat a lot of meat today. We’re all just very excited about how big this event has become and how well we’re treated when we come here. This is a first-class eating competition, without a doubt.”

The 20^th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off is sponsored by US Bank, City of Sparks, Jack Daniels Country Cocktails, Southern Comfort, Curly’s Food Inc., Morrey Distributing-Budweiser, Kendall-Jackson, Model Dairy, Northern Nevada Medical Center, AT&T, Kansas City Barbeque Society, Southern Living, Silver Club, Swire Coca Cola, Full Throttle, Dasani, US Smokeless Tobacco, Northern Nevada Toyota Dealers, KBUL, KOZZ, KTHX, KZTQ and Gems TV.

The Rib Cook-off is scheduled for an extended Labor Day weekend, Wednesday, August 27 through Monday, September 1, 2008. For advance reservations, event history and information call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit www.nuggetribcookoff.com. Do the Nugget Tonight!