Buffalo Sets World Record for Largest Chicken Wing Eating Competition
In a delightful blend of civic pride and culinary passion, Buffalo, New York has claimed its rightful place in the Guinness World Records by hosting the largest chicken wing eating competition ever recorded. On December 20, the city that gave the world buffalo wings gathered 499 enthusiastic participants at the Buffalo Convention Center, shattering the previous record of 397 set by Amazon Web Services in 2018. This wasn’t just any wing-eating extravaganza, but part of the Revelas Family Foundation’s annual “A Not So Silent Night” fundraiser, combining the city’s food heritage with a meaningful cause: raising awareness and funds for mental health initiatives. The record-breaking achievement was officially verified by a Guinness World Records adjudicator who was present to witness Buffalo reclaim its chicken wing crown.
The event couldn’t have found a more appropriate master of ceremonies than Drew Cerza, affectionately known as Buffalo’s “Wing King.” As founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, Cerza has dedicated much of his career to celebrating the city’s most famous culinary contribution. Under his enthusiastic guidance, participants lined up with napkins at the ready, prepared to tackle plates of the city’s signature spicy treat. The competition brought together people from all walks of life – families, friends, coworkers, and wing enthusiasts – united by their love for this humble yet beloved food. The convention center buzzed with energy as participants took their places, the tantalizing aroma of hot sauce and chicken filling the air, creating an atmosphere that was equal parts competitive spirit and community celebration.
Among the hundreds of participants, one competitor stood out for his extraordinary appetite. George Chiger, a professional competitive eater, dominated the field by consuming an astonishing 36 chicken wings in just five minutes. While most participants were there for fun and to be part of a record-breaking moment, Chiger’s performance demonstrated the remarkable skills that competitive eating demands – strategy, technique, and a seemingly bottomless stomach. Other notable competitors put in admirable performances, though none could match Chiger’s impressive pace. Throughout the hall, faces reddened from hot sauce and fingers glistened with the signature buffalo coating as participants embraced the messy, delicious challenge with gusto.
The record-breaking event held special significance for Buffalo, a city that has embraced its chicken wing legacy with pride for nearly sixty years. According to local lore, buffalo wings were first created at the Anchor Bar in 1964, when Teressa Bellissimo decided to deep-fry chicken wings and toss them in a vinegar-cayenne pepper-hot sauce mixture for her son and his friends as a late-night snack. What began as an improvised appetizer using parts of the chicken that were typically discarded or used for soup stock quickly became a sensation. The wings’ popularity spread beyond Buffalo’s city limits, eventually becoming a staple on menus nationwide and even globally. Today, buffalo wings are synonymous with sports gatherings, casual dining, and American food culture as a whole.
Beyond the impressive numbers and delicious food, the event highlighted Buffalo’s strong sense of community spirit and charitable commitment. The Revelas Family Foundation’s choice to incorporate this record attempt into their annual fundraiser transformed a fun food competition into a meaningful opportunity to address mental health issues. Participants and spectators alike contributed to the cause, knowing their entrance fees and additional donations would support mental health programs and services. Event organizers expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming response, noting that the record-breaking turnout exceeded their expectations and significantly boosted their fundraising goals. Local businesses also played their part, with several Buffalo-area restaurants donating the thousands of wings needed for the competition.
As the event concluded and the last napkins were discarded, Buffalo had more than just a world record to celebrate. The gathering affirmed the city’s special connection to chicken wings while demonstrating how food can bring people together for both enjoyment and a greater purpose. Participants left with sauce-stained fingers, full stomachs, and the satisfaction of having been part of Buffalo’s food history. City officials expressed pride in reclaiming a record that they felt rightfully belonged to the birthplace of buffalo wings, with many already talking about defending the title in future years. As one local participant summed it up: “Where else but Buffalo would hundreds of people gather on a December evening to eat wings for charity? This is who we are – we love our wings, we love our city, and we love helping others.” In that spirit, Buffalo’s record-breaking achievement serves as a fitting tribute to a food that has become much more than a snack – it’s become part of the city’s identity and a vehicle for bringing people together.
