Who doesn’t like wings, right? Almost every city in every state in the country has a location known to have “the best wings”. They range from very hot to a little spicy for most places, meeting a variety of tolerances and tastes. This year is the first annual “Wingfest” at Chelsea’s Restaurant and Pub in Lebanon, in Hunterdon County.

It will be held on Saturday May 15th with lots of live music and more than a few hot sauce vendors on hand. Of course there is a challenge to eating wings and since it is a pub more than a few drinks to wash the wings. There is a $ 10 cover charge. Learn more about the event here.

This is the inaugural year of this event which can grow into a much anticipated and larger event over the years. A very popular wing-eating contest called Wingfest was held in Philadelphia each year before the Super Bowl, but was discontinued a few years ago. The event drew such large crowds that after a few years it was held in Philly’s main sports arena, until it was too much for everyone involved to handle. There was a major Wingfest held every year in Buffalo, NY, the city that made Buffalo sauce on chicken wings famous, since 2002.

Culinary competitions did not start with wing festivals, but have evolved into a kind of American “sport” across the country. There is even a national competitive catering “league” with the the biggest competitors in the country. I’m not sure if the Chelsea Wingfest will draw any of them, but you can check it all out or join in on May 15 on Route 22 in Lebanon, New Jersey.

The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Dennis Malloy. All opinions expressed are those of Dennis Malloy.

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