Maitland does the Wing Thing

Do you like chicken wings? How about all-you-can-eat wings in a variety of flavors?

If that grabs your attention, then you’re going to enjoy the upcoming Wing Thing hosted by the Maitland Chamber of Commerce. 

Scheduled for Oct. 12, at the Venue on the Lake in Maitland, Wing Thing is the first best wings competition and dinner organized by the chamber, which hopes to draw in both competitors and hungry guests.

The competition part of the event will feature both individual and team wing contests.

On the individual level, there will be the “amateur wing chefs,” which will include four separate categories: best hot wings, best BBQ wings, best other wings, and individual best of show. The best of show category will come with a money prize of $250.

For teams, there will be two separate events including one for first-responders and another for general teams. Each will include the same four categories as the individual, and both “best of show” prizes are for $250.

Along with both competitions, there will be a trophy for “best overall spirit.”

All competitions will be set up in the same way. Each individual or team will have two hours, between 5 and 7 p.m., to prepare 24 wings — 12 drumettes and 12 flats/winglettes — that will be given to a panel of five judges for a blind tasting.

Luckily for those who bought tickets to the festivities, the judges aren’t the only ones who’ll get to enjoy the bounty of wings. Starting at 7 p.m., visitors will be invited to partake in the plethora of wings as they take in the Texas State vs. Louisiana Lafayette game on the big screen.

To go along with dinner and the game, a 50/50 drawing will occur at halftime, while door prizes will be drawn throughout the game. Visitors will put their ticket in a team bowl, and whenever that team — either Texas State or Lafayette — scores, they will draw a ticket for a prize.