Long Beach Fire Department holds inaugural Wing Eating Contest

The Long Beach Fire Department hosted its inaugural Wing Eating Contest on July 28, featuring dozens of people who competed to eat the most wings in the shortest amount of time.

Out of 26 contestants, Long Beach resident Jessica Sclafani won first place after consuming 52 wings — she won $500. Bradley Swick took second place, and Shawn Bochner took third.

The contest took place at Riptides 11561, located on the boardwalk at Edwards Boulevard.

About 100 people watched from the boardwalk or stood by as participants stuffed their faces with wings donated by Tyson Foods, Fire Chief Joe Miller said. Firefighters prepared about 1,000 wings for the event.

“We cooked them a day or two before, so everything was set, and all we had to do was heat them up and put sauce on them,” Miller said.

The money raised would be used toward the department’s recruitment program, and Miller said the event was a success.

“The first inaugural Wing Eating Contest was a success for the recruitment fundraiser,” Miller said. “The money will be used to promote the Fire Department and provide fire prevention materials that we use during our recruitment drives.”

There was music, raffles and T-shirts that displayed the department’s logo, “Firedog Blaze.” Miller said next year will be bigger and better.

Many businesses sponsored the event, including Riptides 11561, Speakeasy Catering, Swingbelly’s BBQ, Tyson, Performance Food Service, Lil’G Nightlife & Entertainment, and among the donors were Gino’s, LB Wake, Long Beach Surf Shop, Ah-Sah-EE, Bungalow West, Long Beach Sandwich Company, JR Asian Fusion, Grotta di Fuoco, Business Solution Partners, Fire Command, KFC, Ace Hardware, Ralph’s Bait, Jordan’s Lobster, Healing Oasis, Unsound Surf, Lido Kosher Deli, Jewelry by Steven, Bungalow East, East End Cafe, Aboff’s Paint, North Star Auto Body, Home Appliance, Key Food of Long Beach and Farmland Fresh Dairies.