Joey Chestnut was banned from the contest that made him famous after signing an endorsement deal with a company that makes plant-based proteins. The 16-time champ returns to Coney Island on July 4th.

Joey Chestnut wrote on social media “thrilled to be returning” to the competition that was “a huge part of my life.”

Chestnut will return to the contest in an attempt to dethrone last year’s winner, Patrick Bertoletti, who scarfed down 58 dogs and buns and became the first person since 2015 not named Chestnut to win the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition. Chestnut has won the competition a record 16 times.