Eats

The UK’s biggest chicken wing festival returns this weekend – and it’s only an hour from Leeds

Guests can expect a seriously saucy line-up for 2023, with wings from returning champs Eat The Bird, and local favourites Yard & Coop.

The Hoot The Hoot - 4th August 2023

The ultimate chicken wing showdown returns this weekend.

Just one hour from Leeds city centre in Manchester, Love Factory is preparing to host Wing Fest, aka the biggest chicken wing festival in the UK.

Championing street food traders and restauranteurs from across the UK, over the course of the weekend there'll be more than 100,000 drums and flats churned out from kitchens as they compete for the titles of Best Buffalo Wing, Best Wild Wing, and the Best BBQ Wing, a brand-new category for 2023.

Taking place this year on 12 and 13 August, this year will see the introduction of a new format inspired by the classic beer festival, reports The Manc.

Organisers have taken on feedback from previous years about queue waits, and for 2023 Manchester Wing Fest will be divided into sessions with reduced capacity - starting with a Saturday afternoon, followed by an evening session, then finishing with a bang on Sunday afternoon.

This means less time waiting, more wings, and a more seamless festival experience. Expect profound poultry eating, music thumping, axe throwing, beer and bourbon drinking of epic proportion. 

Guests can expect a seriously saucy line-up for 2023, with wings from returning champs Eat The Bird, and local favourites Yard & Coop.

wing fest
Wings at this year's London event. / Image: Wing Fest
wing fest
Image: Wing Fest

For those wanting wings from further afield, Poor Boys will be showcasing flavours from the big smoke, alongside Birmingham wing slingers, Filthy Wings.

All traders will be competing to win your vote and guarantee their spot in the Hall of Flame, chicken wing fans will have the opportunity to cast their votes across each of the two categories.

Wing Fest’s legendary competitions will be held on both days, and it’s set to get seriously heated with the deadly Lava Wing Challenge.

Hosted by Clifton Chilli Club, it’s the UK’s hottest wing challenge, renowned for the carnage it causes and strictly for the brave. If you’re a true wing aficionado, then it’s time for the Sweet Baby Ray’s Wing Eating competition hosted by Food Review Club.

Competitors who are hungry enough compete against each other to see who can eat the most chicken wings in the fastest time - easily the messiest spectacle across the two days.  

Not just a festival for Wing aficionados, expect plenty of beer from Tiny Rebel, some of the best bourbon around from Horse With No Name, and whiskey from Jameson Black Barrel. 

Entertainment includes axe throwing, beer puppeteers, chicken pinatas, and donut eating challenges, alongside live music – best enjoyed with a wing or two in hand.

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Tickets are on sale now from £21 (entry is free for under 12s) and can be purchased via the Wing Fest website here.

Featured image - Wing Fest

Eats

A popular Caribbean street food restaurant is coming to Leeds this spring

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Get ready to enjoy a taste of the Caribbean as Jerk Junction is gearing up to open in Leeds.

The street food favourite has made waves in the foodie scene over in Manchester and Liverpool, so it's only right that its making its way into Trinity Kitchen.

Jerk Junction specialises in authentic Caribbean flavours, from dumplings and jerk chicken to curried goat and rice and peas, it's all flame-grilled and packed with island spices.

It is expected to open this spring.

Image: The Manc Group

Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Jerk Junction to Trinity Kitchen and we’re sure it will prove very popular. Bringing an authentic Caribbean flavour to Leeds, it’s the perfect new addition and complements our already stellar line-up of street food vendors.”

Jake Shaffi, founder at Jerk Junction, said: “Jerk Junction is all about real Caribbean food and culture. Everything we do is rooted in Jamaican tradition, from bold spices and authentic cooking to dishes that bring people together.

“For us, food is family. From our kitchen to every person who comes to our counter, we want people to feel the warmth, the energy and the spirit of the islands. We can’t wait to bring those authentic flavours and good vibes to Trinity Kitchen.”

The announcement follows news that the UK’s largest independent boutique bowling brand Lane7, and footwear retailers schuh and Footasylum, would be opening at Trinity Leeds later this year, whilst the LEGO Store will be relocating to a larger space within the shopping centre.

Read more:

Featured image - The Manc Group

Eats

Beloved Leeds takeaway Souvlaki Corner to open new restaurant in Morley next month

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A new Souvlaki Corner is set to open in south Leeds.

If you're a Leeds local who loves food, then you'll have most likely heard and dined at Souvlaki Corner.

It's an absolute gem of a restaurant and takeaway, situated in Wortley selling fabulous authentic Greek food at a great price.

And now they're opening a new site in the nearby town of Morley which is going to be even bigger and better. Get in.

The new site will feature a bigger space with more seating, offering both dine-in and takeaway options, as well as a brand-new bar.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Now you're talking our language.

Souvlaki Corner told The Hoot: "We’re excited to confirm that Souvlaki Corner will be opening a new site in Morley, Leeds. Our targeted opening is in around four weeks, although we don’t have an exact opening date yet and will confirm this closer to the launch.

"One of the highlights of the new restaurant will be a traditional Greek spit where we will cook whole lamb in the proper Greek way. It will be cooked over charcoal to give the authentic Greek flavour that people would experience in Greece.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

"Our chefs are Greek, bringing authentic knowledge and experience from Greece. The interior design will also reflect the style of the Greek islands, so when people visit they will feel like they are stepping into a little part of Greece."

They continued: "Souvlaki Corner was created to bring authentic Greek street food to Leeds, focusing on freshly grilled souvlaki, gyros, and traditional flavours served quickly and affordably. Since launching our first location, the response from customers has been fantastic, and Morley felt like the natural next step as we continue to grow."

Read more: Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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