Wing-Off hot for Y
BY REBECCA KEISTER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 1:55 PM EDT
Real tasty Lisa Lamborn, left, of Fresh Catch, serves a wing to Paul Fradet, right, of North Attleboro, during the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Second Annual Wing-Off competition Saturday at the North Attleboro Elks Lodge. (Staff photos by Mike George)
NORTH ATTLEBORO - The thing about wings, in case you wanted to know, is that everyone has a different favorite.
Guinness molasses, garlic parmesan and, of course, good, old-fashioned hot were among the crowd pleasers at Saturday's second annual "Wing-Off," sponsored by the Hockomock Area YMCA. But no matter anyone's personal preference, the event was a blistering success.
"There's definitely a ton of people here," said Dawn DeCosta, of the YMCA. "It's really good."
After many wings were eaten, prizes went to Tom's Tavern of Wrentham, which won the People's Choice Award, and Plainville's The Chieftain, which was the judges' top choice, DeCosta said.
The runners-up for the two awards were Jenerations Bar and Grill and L.A. Robert's, respectively, both from North Attleboro, she said.
L.A. Roberts owner Mike Valeri mixes sauce onto his wings during the Hockomock Area YMCA North Attleboro branch’s second annual Wing-Off competition held Saturday at the North Attleboro Elks Club. His wings earned a runner-up award. (Staff photos by Mike George)
Held at the North Attleboro Elks Club, the event benefits the YMCA's Reach Out For Youth and Families campaign, which provides confidential scholarship assistance for YMCA programs and services.
"I love Buffalo wings, and I thought this was a perfect opportunity to do something for the community," said Jona Boudreau, who came with his wife and some friends.
"We didn't get to come last year, and I think this is great. I'm happy to see this many people here."
Despite the drizzles that filled Saturday afternoon, it was standing-room only inside the Elks, although the weather did seem to keep people away from the outdoor table and bands.
Ten area restaurants, including The Chieftain, LA Roberts, Tom's Tavern and Fitzy's Pub, brought whatever flavor recipes they chose to compete for bragging rights as to whose was best.
Last year, The Chieftain took home top honors when the restaurants were limited to traditional recipes. This year's competition also included a People's Choice Award.
This year, The Chieftain brought what proved to be a big wing pleaser - a Guinness and molasses-flavored concoction made by chef Joe Courchine, who has been perfecting wings at the Plainville pub for eight years.
"I'm going to say those were my favorite," said Andy Carver of North Attleboro. "I've had their wings before, but I believe this was a new recipe. The event is great. I was here last year, and I think it's great; very charitable."
The fun didn't stop with the wings.
Four bands kept people moving well into the evening hours, including Itchy Fish, a semi-retired band that, according to singer Ziggy Sevigny, only gets together a couple of times per year for such charitable events.
"Last year was great, and it seems like it's even bigger this year," Sevigny said. "We're playing, but I'm also a big Buffalo fan. I would have been here anyway."
Sevigny said he was partial to The Chieftain's signature hot wings.
Bandmate Dave Raposa said he had been too busy talking - a side effect of running into old friends at a community event - to try every last wing recipe, but he was really enjoying LA Robert's hot wings.
"So far, those have been the best," Raposa said. "I haven't been here long enough to try everything, but I'm checking it all out."
DeCosta said she thought having one more restaurant than last year, coupled with more live music, drew in a bigger crowd.
It even got some non-wing fans into the action, including Boudreau's wife, Tracie.
"I'm not a spicy wing fan at all," she said. "Somehow, though, I'm full right now. I'm voting for the Guinness. They weren't hot, but they were tasty."
REBECCA KEISTER can be reached at 508-236-0336 or at
rkeister@thesunchronicle.com.
