The world’s largest chicken wing festival: Wing Fest, is returning to the Midlands, paying homage to one of the world’s favourite meals. Derby Wing Fest is set to take over the award-winning Bustler Market for three days, from 19th to the 21st of May.
At the heart of the festival ethos is the story of wing enthusiast and founder, Richard Thacker, who started off as a chicken wing street-food trader. He created Wing Fest nine years ago to champion independent food businesses and up-and-coming brands, and their love of chicken. Wing Fest now showcases an array of street food traders, restaurants, BBQ teams and pop-ups from around the country at each festival.
Derby Wing Fest will be divided into sessions, starting with Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and evening, and finishing with a bang on Sunday afternoon. Wing Fest goers can expect profound poultry eating, music thumping, axe throwing, beer and bourbon drinking of epic proportion.
Derby Wing Fest will showcase a range of independents, who will display their culinary talents and compete against each other over a whopping 60,000 drums and flats, to answer the crucial question of who makes the best wings in the UK?
The competition is split into three categories: the best BBQ wing, brand-new for 2023, the best buffalo wing; the battle for who can execute the perfect classic spicy sauced wing, and the best wild wing; where the traders can let their creativity run wild with flavours and toppings to transform a humble chicken wing into a flavour explosion.
With a chicken wing for everyone, expect 10 stellar traders including Wing Fest multiple award-winners Poor Boys, from the big smoke, and Eat the Bird from Cardiff. Dirty Chicken from Nottingham are back and hailed as one to watch, alongside London wing slingers, Hot Chick. All will be competing to win votes and guarantee their spot in the hall of flame. 4000 chicken wing fans will have the opportunity to cast their votes live across each of the two categories.
Wing Fest’s legendary competitions will be held on all days, and it’s set to get seriously heated with a deadly Lava Wing Challenge hosted by Clifton Chilli Club - the UK’s hottest wing challenge and renowned for the carnage it causes. If you’re a true wing aficionado, then it’s time for the Wing Eating competition hosted by the Food Review Club, where ticket holders who are hungry and brave enough, compete against each other to see who can eat the most chicken wings - easily the messiest spectacle across the two days.
Derby Wing Fest will provide plenty of beer from Tiny Rebel, some of the best bourbon around from Horse With No Name, and famed Irish whiskey from Jameson Black Barrel. Entertainment includes axe throwing, bourbon masterclasses, competitions, arcade and fairground games, alongside live music – best enjoyed with a wing or two in hand.
Derby Wing Fest tickets are now on sale. Tickets include a Wing Fest signature trucker hat, free access to fairground games, competitions, and live music.
- Friday Evening - over 18s only - £18.50
- Saturday Afternoon - £21 (free for under 12s)
- Saturday Evening - Over 18s only - £21
- Sunday Afternoon - £21 (free for under 12s)
Address: Bustler Marker, John Street Derby, DE1 2QD
Instagram: @wingfestuk
Web Site: www.wingfest.co.uk
