This year in Wing Bowl 19, the contestant who ate the most chicken wings won $20,000, a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up truck and a ring from a fine jeweler. The winner Jon Squibb (aka "Super Squibb") of Berlin New Jersey ate 255 wings. He broke the contest's previous high mark of 238 wings, which he had set in 2010.
A Close Final
A South Jersey restaurant cooked up 9,000 bone-in chicken wings for the event. After the first 15-minute round, Squibb had eaten 147 wings and Bill "El Wingador" Simmons of Woodbury Heights, New Jersey 150. Simmons has won more Wing Bowl titles than anyone, having captured the title in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005.
Although there were 26 contestants, only Squibb and Simmons qualified to go on to the second round. In the second round Squibb brought his total to 236 while Simmons increased his consumption to 237. In the final five-minute session, Squibb upped his total to 255 while Simmons ended with 254.
This year's event was experienced by about 20,000 spectators, most of them men, who paid $10 admission. Also part of the event were homemade floats on which the contestants entered the sports venue in South Philadelphia. The contestants' entourage in the parade Included young women who were a big draw for the crowd.
Participation of Women
The winners of the best float contest got a trip to a fancy resort. The women who participate in the contest are called Wingettes. The woman voted the best Wingette won a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Incidentally, the only woman to win the Wing Bowl was Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas in 2004. She ate 167 wings.
Former champions, naturally, are invited to compete again. Other contestants qualify by winning over the sponsor with an impressive display of zany eating. Sometimes a local eating establishment is the scene of this display of gustatory skill. For instance, in this year's contest "The Polish Assassin" qualified by eating 24 hard-boiled eggs in 3 1/2 minutes. "Not Rich" qualified by eating a fruitcake in two minutes.
History of the 610 WIP Wing Bowl
The Wing Bowl was first held in the lobby of what was then the hotel then named the Wyndham Franklin Plaza at 17th and Race Streets. Then as now the Wing Bowl is sponsored by AM sports radio station WIP. The station's sports commentators Al Morganti and Anglelo Cataldi are credited with thinking up the idea as a way the soothe the feelings of Philadelphia Eagles football fans whose team was not going to the Super Bowl.
Tickets for Wing Bowl 20 go on sale in December 2011.
Linda N. Riggins - I have written freelance articles for Victorian Homes,Catholic Digest, the Old Farmer's Almanac, Fine Homebuilding, the Christian Science ...
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