Wingfest Brings Big Appetites To Links At Summerly

It was messy, sloppy, tasty fun at the Friday night during the First Annual Wing Eating Contest.

Links at Summerly Executive Chef Matthew Freeman prepared the mild to medium saucy buffalo wings and competitors were charged with all they could eat in two minutes. Contenders represented local businesses and families, and the event benefited Helping Out Kids with Arthritis.

"HOKA was formed strictly for kids suffering from arthritis,” explained Stan Gonzales, general manager at the Links and HOKA founder. “The organization funds 100 percent of the medical needs to kids in the Inland Empire. Our goal this evening is to raise $1,500.”

The event featured live entertainment presented by the 401-9's band, along with a charity raffle and food specials. There was even a special guest appearance by the Storm’s Thunder.

As radio personality Jim Daniels of KATY 101.3 FM officiated the contest, competitor Kathyrn Nielsen, owner of What Uh Deli in Lake Elsinore, said, “I just hope the wings are not too spicy!”

Fellow competitor Ray Anderson, representing Farmers Insurance, said he felt pretty confident about his wing-eating performance Friday night.

“This event is for a good cause. I think I did pretty good,” he said.

But his performance wasn’t enough to capture a top spot.

Steve “Strikeout” Smaldone of Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball gnoshed the most wings to take first place in the contest; Greg “Floss” Moss grabbed second; and Morey Marcus captured third.