The Ultimate Wingman At NYC Wingfest
Ryan Hohman woke up on New Year's Day this year with inspiration, not whiskey, coursing through his veins. While most of us were slamming Aleve and half-watching the Tournament of Roses parade, Hohman — a New York City web producer by trade — was plotting a Kobayashian eating challenge that many at the time predicted was impossible: to eat 2,011 chicken wings in the course of a year. Writing as the Ultimate Wingman, Hohman is Food Republic's official wing correspondent.
The 3rd annual NYC Wingfest took place this past Saturday and you betcha I was there chipping away at my 2011 wing count. Nine of the city's top wing spots were invited to battle for bragging rights to the city's best Buffalo wings. Atop a pile of bones and sauce-stained wet naps, BroBible and Streaker Sports crowned Duke's champion for the second straight year. Duke's beat out Hill Country Chicken by just seven votes.
While Duke's went home with the gold chicken trophy, my vote went to Wildwood BBQ. Wildwood pitmaster Big Lou's spicy jerk wings were full of flavor and fell off the bone on bite. Wingman approved. When it was all said and done, I consumed 28 wings, raising my 2011 wing count to 1,622. Only 389 more wings to go! You can follow me as I close in on my meaty milestone!
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