Mashantucket — Competitive gluttony returns Nov. 21 to Foxwoods Resort Casino, where Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the planet’s top-ranked eater, is set to defend his World Turkey Eating Championship.

At last year’s inaugural event at Foxwoods, Chestnut consumed 9.35 pounds of turkey, removing the meat from the bone in 10 minutes.

The feat was good for a world record.

Chestnut figures to have plenty of competition this time around. The event’s field of all-star eaters includes Miki Sudo and Michelle Lesco, both highly ranked in the “debris food category,” which comprises chicken wings, ribs and shellfish.

Other leading gormandizers expected to vie for the title are Sonya Thomas, oyster-eating champion of the world; Yasir Salem, a veteran competitive hot dog eater; Badlands Booker, a cannoli- and meatball-eating champion; Crazy Legs Conti, who’s made his mark devouring sweet corn; and Gideon “The Truth” Oji, a college basketball player and leading contender for Major League Eating’s Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

"As the biggest casino in the Northern Hemisphere, it makes perfect sense that the biggest and the best turkey-eating competition in the United States be held here at Foxwoods Resort Casino," Felix Rappaport, Foxwoods’ president and chief executive officer, said in a news release. "We're thrilled that reigning champion and world-record-holder Joey Chestnut will return to test his gustatory skills against 12 other Major League Eating legends in this unforgettable showdown."

The eaters will compete with 20-pound whole turkeys, with some likely lifting the entire bird to their mouths while others opt to tear off drumsticks and smaller pieces with their hands.

Foxwoods will donate a $30 Stop & Shop gift card for every pound of turkey eaten to the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London. The donation is expected to exceed $3,500.

The contest will take place at 2 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of Foxwoods’ Grand Pequot Tower. For more information, visit www.foxwoods.com.