America's Biggest Eaters: Patrick 'Deep Dish' Bertoletti

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - As his Facebook profile pic, Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti has created a photo collage that shows Johnny Rotten + Lady Gaga = Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti.

The rock star of the competitive eating circuit has come on strong in recent years and is vying for his first win at Nathan's Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Championship. Last year he placed third devouring 55 hot dog and buns or HDBs (though it was almost ten behind second place Takeru Kobayashi and 13 short of winner Joey Chestnut.)

"I hope to have a good day and have fun. You don't want to have a bad day in front of the thousands that show up at Nathan's" said Bertoletti. He felt great last year and had a strong showing, but said that you never know how you feel until the day arrives.

Bertoletti usually sports a mohawk and occasional facial hair and hails from the city of Palos Heights, Ill. near Chicago. The 24-year-old chef is surrounded by food all day yet has to concentrate and maintain his training regimen while balancing work with his competitive eating career.

"I try to just have a taste and maintain my eating schedule when I'm getting ready for a competition."

He has been on the circuit for nearly six years and feels that he has a few more years ahead of him. "Whenever it stops being fun I will walk away. I have not had any health issues so far and I don't intend to eat long enough to experience any."

Bertoletti has been busy this year and recently was crowned the poutine eating champion after eating 13 pounds of gravy-and-cheese-soaked fries in 10 minutes. He said that holding more obscure food eating titles is cool. Ten minutes is the key in the hot dog contest as well. Contestants at Nathan's compete to see who can eat the most hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

He has competed in so many events that he does not always do a practice run, though Nathan's is different.

"I like to get myself familiar with the food. By that I mean I will prepare or buy it and practice with it to develop a game plan," he said in an e-mail interview.

"My capacity is never an issue, having the best technique allows me to utilize my capacity to it's fullest. At this point in my eating career I don't usually have to practice with the food as I have experience with every food known to man. I will however practice for the Nathan's hot dog contest."

Bertoletti claims champion eaters are born but also need the mental make-up to rise to the top of their game.

"To be a great competitive eater you must be born with the ability to eat very fast with little or no chewing. And to have a large appetite and capacity for food," explained Deep Dish. "[Then] to improve and increase capacity requires mental strength, because training to improve these things is the most un-fun thing one could imagine.

"I would rather start training for an Iron Man than to go through the grueling training [of eating.]"

But the training and competitive eating have been great for him. What he really loves about the circuit is the comradery, friendships and travel that comes with it.

"Honestly it's the journey, life experiences, and friends I've gained from eating," he said when asked about his best moments in the sport. "Eatings taken me to Greece, Italy, Australia, Czech Republic, and to almost every state in the union.

"[The sport] has helped me develop into something much greater and more mature than I could have ever expected or hoped for. And it has united me with friends all around the U.S. that share my love for food, entertainment, travel and experiences."

And the how would Bertoletti describe the Nathans' contest?

"Pure adrenaline insanity."

More. This year's event is filled with all the drama and excitement of a world-class fight:
• Joey Chestnut is going for his fourth consecutive title.
• Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti is trying to get to the top.
• Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas seeks to remain the top woman.
• Bob "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt is looking to eat his age in hot dogs and buns.
• What surpise does "Eater X" Tim Janus has in store for the crowd.