The world’s largest chicken wing festival: Wing Fest, is returning to the Midlands to celebrate its 10thanniversary, whilst 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 17th to the 19st 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 a decade 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. Two brand-new locations have also been announced for this year, including Norwich, Richard’s hometown.
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.
The festival will showcase a range of independents, who will display their culinary talents and compete against each other over a whopping 100,000 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, for those who like to revel in smoky goodness, 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 ingredients, toppings and techniques to transform a humble chicken wing into a flavour eruption.
With a chicken wing for everyone, expect 10 stellar traders including the award-winning Shwings from Chelmsford, and Eat the Bird from Cardiff. Also on the line-up is Chatty Patty from Birmingham who are looking to collect more trophies, alongside Nottingham’s favourite neighbourhood wing slingers, Dirty Chicken. 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 three categories. For those who like to end on a sweet note, Project D will be on hand to dish out their famed doughnuts.
Wing Fest’s legendary eating competitions will be held on all days, and it’s set to get seriously heated with the 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 Flying Goose Wing Eating Competition hosted by 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.
Festival goers can expect plenty of beer from Tiny Rebel, alongside utter sauciness from Flying Goose Brand. Entertainment includes live music, axe throwing, bourbon masterclasses, competitions, games and arcades – all 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 axe throwing, games, arcades, competitions, and live music.
- Friday Evening - over 18s only - £19.50
- Saturday Afternoon - £22.50 (free for under 12s)
- Saturday Evening - Over 18s only - £22.50
- Sunday Afternoon - £22.50 (free for under 12s)
Address:
Bustler Marker, John Street
Derby, DE1 2QD
@wingfestuk
www.wingfest.co.uk
