If you like chicken wings, and love competing, you should be at Jake’s bar in South Porcupine on Sunday.
The tavern is hosting a chicken wing eating contest during the Winter Carnival.
Bar manager Tom Vlaad says it’s a simple event, but it’s growing in popularity every year.
“This is our fifth year running the contest, but we’ve been serving wings for almost 25 years. Like with all contests, the crazier the idea, the more successful it becomes” he said.
Vlaad says that the main initiative behind the contest is to promote Jake’s famous breaded wings.
The contest is currently about ‘half full’ according to Vlaad, but is willing to have as many people as possible. He says it’s a good deal, even if you lose.
“We normally have ten people. They pay ten bucks to enter the contest, and you get 20 wings. You can’t buy 20 wings anywhere for 10 bucks” he said.
The contest is not about spice, but the efficiency of eating.
The breaded wings used in contest will be served without sauce.
The wings will be allowed to cool for about 10 minutes, in order to prevent mouth burns.
“They’re given five minutes. We weigh each tray before they are served, and it’s the most chicken consumed. You put the bones back in the tray, and then the trays are weighed again” said Vlaad.
He offered some words of encouragement for anyone who might be interested, but may feel intimidated by the prospect of competitive eating.
“It’s funny because it’s not necessarily the biggest person. It’s not necessarily the person with the biggest appetite. There are different strategies that are employed.”
The contest takes place on Sunday at 2 p.m. Jake’s is located at 61 Bruce Avenue in South Porcupine.
