Wingfest comes to Birmingham: celebrating the best chicken wings the UK has to offer

BirminghamWorld video journalist Richard Gullick joined the judges at Wingfest in Digbeth at the weekend, but he wasn’t winging it - here’s what happened
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Wingfest came to Birmingham, celebrating the best chicken wings the UK has to offer. I attended as one of three judges determining the best of the festival. I’ve got no experience as a judge, but a pun about just winging it would be beneath me. Two days of chicken, bourbon and axe throwing awaits.

Aside from the wings, there are plenty of other activities on offer. Live music, BBQ demonstrations, axe throwing, cocktails and perhaps most notably - the eating competitions, with the lava wing competition really test peoples mettle. All just south of the city centre here in Digbeth.

Lauren, a good blogger, tells why she went along to Wingfest in BirminghamLauren, a good blogger, tells why she went along to Wingfest in Birmingham
Lauren, a good blogger, tells why she went along to Wingfest in Birmingham
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Lauren, a food blogger behind the Floozie Foodie, said: “I like to come out to as many events as possible - especially Birmingham events, and Birmingham independent events.I love to get together with the other foodie girls.”

After much deliberation between the judges, Saturday’s winner for both categories - best wild wings and buffalo wings - was The Magic Wingdom from Leamington Spa.

Erkan, a judge and co-founder of The Wing Club, talks about the decision to crown The Magic Wingdom the champions at WingfestErkan, a judge and co-founder of The Wing Club, talks about the decision to crown The Magic Wingdom the champions at Wingfest
Erkan, a judge and co-founder of The Wing Club, talks about the decision to crown The Magic Wingdom the champions at Wingfest

Erkan, a judge and co-founder of The Wing Club, said: “I feel the stand out one for me - I’d have to go with Magic Wingdom. it’s one we haven’t really heard about. I thought they was a surprise package.”

Filthy Wings at Wingfest 2022 in BirminghamFilthy Wings at Wingfest 2022 in Birmingham
Filthy Wings at Wingfest 2022 in Birmingham

The festival sees different vendors from across the country offering their unique take on the illustrious chicken wing. The range of flavours on offer here is incredible, from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Africa, the Caribbean and plenty of homegrown styles too.

Joe, a judge and previous champion at Wingfest, tells what he think makes Birmingham’s Digbeth Dining Club stand outJoe, a judge and previous champion at Wingfest, tells what he think makes Birmingham’s Digbeth Dining Club stand out
Joe, a judge and previous champion at Wingfest, tells what he think makes Birmingham’s Digbeth Dining Club stand out
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Joe, a judge and previous champion in the competition, said: “Birmingham - with like Digbeth Dining Club - it’s got a really nice sun-genre of street food and wildcard guys. So really surprisingly interesting different characters in the wing game. Some real nice stand out guys like the Smokehouse guys were amazing and had a real good get up and go about them, doing interesting things with their food.”

Wingfest 2022 in BirminghamWingfest 2022 in Birmingham
Wingfest 2022 in Birmingham

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