Tito's to Determine Who is 'King of Da Wing'

The creation of "the wing" has a few different histories, depending on where you look. Most food buffs point to its namesake city of Buffalo, NY, where a certain Frank Bellissimo is credited with its creation according to this New Yorker article.

But for New Jersey the uniqueness of the wing is all in the sauce.  will hold its second-annual "King of Da Wing" contest at 5 p.m. March 5 at its Morristown location (with other events at its Ridgewood and Summit locations) to see who can survive their brand of wing sauce, pitting man against chicken in a competition to see who can devour the most "Wings of Death." There's also a prize for who can chomp down on the most "Gnarly" wings. 

Here are the rules:

Eating competitions are inherently dangerous activities, and all participants expressly and voluntarily assume the risk of any and all injury and damage that may result from the participation in eating competitions. Participants understand that such risks include, but are not limited to possible bodily injury, partial or total disability, paralysis, death or other injuries or damages. Selection of participation in the event and the risks of loss, damage or injury shall at all times remain with and be borne by each participant. Participants will be required to execute an Acknowledgement of Risk and Waiver of Liability Agreement before participation. 

Official Rules

1. The wing eating competition is open to all amateur eaters 18 years or older who are in good health. Professional eaters, persons recognized by the AICE, the IFOCE or members of any professional eating organization are not eligible. 
2. Any competitor with a serious ailment or health problem may not compete in the contest.
3. Competitors may eat sitting down or standing up in their designated areas. Any contestant leaving their designated area during the contest will be disqualified.
4. Competitors may not make physical contact with any other competitor at any time. Any competitor who deliberately makes contact with another competitor will be disqualified. 
5. If a competitor vomits or regurgitates at any time during the competition or during the time period the wing count is being tallied, he or she will be disqualified.
6. The use of utensils is not allowed. 
7. Chicken meat must be eaten directly from the bones. Stripping the bones of meat first and eating the meat at one time will not be allowed.
8. Competitors may not touch the wing basket or wings in the basket before the contest begins. 
9. Competitors must place each and every finished chicken wing bone back in the wing basket.  Failure to place wing bones back into the basket will result in disqualification. 
10. If contingencies or disputes arise at the contest/before, during or after, that is not explicitly covered by these official rules, the Executive Judge’s decision will stand with the same finality as the rules.

The Contest

1. Each competitor will start with exactly two (2) pounds of chicken wings covered with Tito’s Burritos Wings Sauce.
2. The contest will last exactly three (3) minutes.
3. Once the contest starts, the competitors will consume their allotted wings and place the eaten chicken wing bones back into the wing basket. 
4. If a competitor finishes their allotted two (2) pounds of wings before the contest is complete, they will be given an additional one (1) pound of wings to consume. 
5. Once the contest is complete, each competitor’s wing basket will be taken to be weighed by the Executive Judge.
6. The winner will be determined by the total weight of wing meat eaten, measured by an official contest scale in pounds and ounces by the Executive Judge. 
7. In the event of a tie between competitors, there will be a 60 second “run off” to determine the winner. 

"This will be our second competition," said Tito's co-owner Mike Caldarella who advises contestants to "come hungry."

It costs $8 to enter the contest and the grand prize is a dozen wings a month for 365 days. 

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