Groggy Frogg Takes Top Prize At 15th Annual Wing Fest

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

November 19, 2021

After a fun night of hot but friendly competition, Groggy Frogg once again hopped to the top at the Southington Chamber of Commerce’s 15th Annual Wing Fest this Monday at Cadillac Ranch.

Barbara Coleman Hekeler, president of the Southington Chamber of Commerce said that more than 400 people attended the annual wing competition. She said she “couldn’t be happier” with the event.

“It was nice to see every participating restaurant win in some category or level,” she said. “It goes to show the overall quality of service, food and camaraderie here in Southington.”

Groggy Frogg, at 129 Center St., was the winner of the Best Overall Wings, Fan Favorite and Most Creative Sauce categories. They have defended the title of Best Overall Wings for six years in a row. Groggy Frogg will appear on WFSB’s Better Connecticut program this Thursday to cook their winning recipe.

Hop Haus, located at 28 West Main St., Plantsville, took first runner-up for Best Overall Wings, first runner-up for Best Tasting Hot Wings and first place for Sweetest Wings.

Plan B, located at 20 Spring St., took first place for Best Tasting Hot Wings.

Que Whiskey Kitchen, located at 461 Queen St., took first runner-up for Fan Favorite and first runner-up for Sweetest Wings.

Sherman’s Taphouse, located at 25 Center St., won first runner-up for Most Creative Sauce.

Groggy Frogg thanked the Southington Chamber of Commerce for “another great event” on their social media pages following the competition. They also congratulated their competitors for their respective wins.

“We look forward to next year, we had a great time especially celebrating our wins afterwards with Hop Haus back at the Frogg,” Groggy Frogg wrote.

Coleman-Hekeler thanked “Blazing Hot Sponsor” Calcagni Real Estate for helping to make the event successful.

“We couldn’t have done it without their generosity,” she said.

Contributing sponsors also included HQ Dumpsters & Recycling, Perfect Type LLC, Costco, Chick-fil-A Southington (CT), HotScream - by Escape Brands LLC and Worldwide Wine & Spirits.

Coleman-Hekeler also thanked the panel of “celebrity judges” who helped to determine the winners. The judges, who brought more than 60 years of combined culinary experience to the competition, included Tamara Lucente, owner of Sweet Treats Catering Plus and Cookie Ranger; Tad Graham Handley and Gary Brummett.

“It’s an authentic competition, not just a popularity contest,” said Coleman Hekeler. “It really is about the quality of the product that the restaurants serve and each of them offers something different and a unique dining experience. We want to encourage people to go in and support our restaurants, they invest a lot in being at this event and they do it to give back to the community.”

Coleman said that 100% of the proceeds from Wing Fest will be going back into the Chamber’s economic programs and community outreach programs, which she said are intended to promote and grow business in town.

The Wing Fest will return next year, Nov. 14 of 2022.

For more information on Wing Fest, participating restaurants, sponsors, and the Southington Chamber of Commerce, visit southingtonchamber.com or call 860-628-8036.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.