Wing Fest, the world’s biggest chicken wing festival, is returning to Manchester this summer – bringing some of the best street food traders, restaurants and BBQ teams with it.
Serving up a whopping 200,000 wings over the course of two days, we’ve been looking forward to its return since the announcement was made in March.
But now that the festival has released its Manchester trader line-up, we’re even more excited – if that’s humanly possible.
Traders at this year’s Wing Fest will, as ever, be on hand serving up their signature bites – be they deep-fried, spicy, baked, sweet or sticky as all hell.
Lockdown sucess story Mexican Seoul are ones to watch at this year’s festival. / Image: Mexican Seoul / Wing Fest
There’ll also be a number of bars selling different bourbons and beers, axe-throwing stations, fairground rides and live music to set the party atmosphere across the weekend.
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Bringing together pop-ups from across the country with some established Manchester names, local chicken wing fans can get stuck into favourites from the likes of Kong’s Chicken Shop, Wing Dash and Yard and Coop, as well as discovering new eats from further afield.
Brighton’s The Bok Shop, Liverpool’s Japanese street food-inspired kushikatsu stall Sutikku, and Edinburgh’s Down the Hatch are all also down to attend, as is Nottingham’s Sri Lankan eatery Colombo Street.
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London’s Chick ‘n’ sours will make its festival debut in Manchester this year. / Image: Chick ‘n’ sours via Wing Fest
Those traveling from further afield include London’s Covent Garden restaurant Chick ‘n’ Sours, whilst Bayou will come all the way from Tooting with their red hot wings to take part in the festival.
South-west London’s award-winning Mexican Seoul – where wings receive a Mexican-meets-Korean treatment – will also appear at the festival.
Just like Manchester hit Kong’s Chicken Shop, Mexican Seoul is another lockdown success story, first set up by founder Ashley Chipchase whilst on furlough.
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Filthy Wings is another newcomer at this years festival. / Image: Filthy Wings via Wing Fest
Image: Dirty Chicken UK via Wing Fest
Other traders confirmed on the line-up include Poor Boys, Eat the Bird, Uncle G’s, Filthy Wings, Wings ‘n’ Tingz, WingerzWingz, Tings n Wings and Mezani Grill.
Taking place this year at The Trafford Centre, the UK’s finest chicken experts will be showcasing their culinary skills by means of cooking demos and a festival-wide competition – all bidding to be crowned the Wing King or Queen.
This year’s competition is split into two categories: The Best Buffalo Wing and The Best Wild Wing.
The first, rather self-explanatorily, will see food traders battle to have their spicy sauce crowned the best, whilst the wild category will encourage chefs to let their creativity run wild with different flavours and toppings.
2021 champions Chicken George ft The Rib Man, The Bok Shop and Poor Boys, and local favourites Kong’s Chicken Shop and Yard and Coop, will be amongst those competing to win your vote.
Eat Poor Boys will appear at this year’s festival. / Image: Wing Fest
In total, 8,000 lucky chicken wing fans will have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favourite wings across the weekend.
True wing aficionados should also consider taking part in the very saucy wing eating competition, where brave and hungry individuals compete against one another on the main stage to see who can eat the messiest wings.
The ‘Get Heated’ lava wing challenge hosted by, The Food Review Club and Clifton Chilli Club will be causing carnage, with only the brave entering the UK’s hottest wing challenge.
Taking place across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September 2022, those heading down can expect a day full of chicken-eating, as well as plenty of music and entertainment.
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To get your tickets for the giant Wing Fest, click here.
Feature image – Wing Fest
News
‘He sacrificed himself to save the woman he loved’ – Emotional tribute paid to man who died shielding wife from M60 crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died shielding his wife from an oncoming HGV crash on the M60 have issued a heartbreaking tribute to him.
David Lalgee, who was in his 60s, died in the collision on Thursday 20 March in Swinton.
An HGV had crossed the central reservation into the opposite lane, before going into the embankment and colliding with six vehicles.
David was rushed to hospital but has since died of his injuries, and his family have described him as ‘selfless and loving’ in an emotional tribute.
His loving family detailed how his final act was to shield his wife, Jo, from the oncoming tragedy, placing his body between hers and the oncoming lorry.
“He took the full impact, sacrificing his life to save the woman he loved,” they said in the statement shared through GMP.
David was a father of three, stepfather of three, and proud grandfather of nine grandchildren, as well as a Pastor of Church Alive in Blackpool.
In the tribute, they wrote: “He adored his family, and the way he loved his wife was something truly special filling their home with warmth, kindness, and steadfast devotion.”
David’s family said: “On Thursday 20 March 2025 my husband and father David tragically lost his life in a road traffic collision on the M60.
“David was a devoted father to Josh, Tamar, and Ben, a loving stepfather to Jake, Will, and Connie, and a proud grandfather to nine wonderful grandchildren.
“He adored his family, and the way he loved his wife was something truly special filling their home with warmth, kindness, and steadfast devotion. His absence leaves a void that words cannot express.
“In his final moments, David did what he had always done—he put others before himself. With incredible bravery, he protected his wife, Jo, placing himself between her and the oncoming lorry that had crossed the central reservation.
“He took the full impact, sacrificing his life to save the woman he loved.
“No words can truly capture the man David was. He was a protector, a carer, the Pastor of Church Alive in Blackpool, as well as above all else, a pillar of love and support to so many.
“He lived to serve others, always offering kindness, wisdom, and unwavering faith.
“David cared for people his whole life, not just for own family and friends but he was a proprietor for his own care home for over 30 years, Stockdove care home in Cleveleys where he cared for the elderly.
“We cannot imagine anyone ever speaking a bad word about him. His selflessness and compassion touched so many lives, and while our time with him was far too short, we will forever cherish the moments and memories he gave us.
“In two weeks’ time, David’s son-in-law, Reuben Morley, will be running his first 100-mile ultramarathon—a challenge David wholeheartedly believed he could complete within 24 hours. In honour of David’s strength and determination, Reuben is dedicating his race to him.
“Finally, we want to acknowledge the overwhelming love and support we have received. Every message, every kind word, and every shared memory means the world to us.
“We see them all, and they remind us just how deeply David impacted so many lives.”
Manchester United fan group call for full investigation into security after sit-in protest
Danny Jones
A prominent Manchester United fan organisation have called for a full investigation into Old Trafford security after an alleged assault during the sit-in protest this past weekend, detailing what they called “not only unprofessional but completely disgraceful” conduct from stewards.
Large groups of Man United supporters stayed in the stadium beyond the full-time whistle was blown following a lacklustre 0-0 Manchester derby – one both Reds and City fans alike will soon forget – to voice their complaints as part of a planned sit-in protest on Sunday, 6 April.
The peaceful demonstration was a response to the news of season ticket price increases for the 2025/26 campaign and other policy changes in recent months; however, it seems frustrations in the stands reached boiling point in at least one instance, as a man is said to have been forcibly removed.
Now, a few days on from the incident, The 1958 group who were among the core group of sit-in protestors have raised “a formal and urgent complaint” against CSG (Controlled Solutions Group) Security over the “unacceptable behaviour” from at least one steward.
🗣️Update on the incident in East Stand
Just in the way of an update we have spoken to the fan involved in the incident during the sit in protest on Sunday.
There are obviously some details we cannot reveal with respect to the fan involved and also for legal reasons.
Penning a letter to United CEO Omar Berrada directly, the vocal arm of supporters have called for “the complete removal of CSG security services from all home games” following a fracas shared multiple times on social media.
Although the fan remains anonymous out of respect for his privacy and for legal reasons, they claim that the individual was “physically assaulted by a steward without provocation”.
They go on to add that “others in the area were verbally abused with foul and aggressive language”, noting that the incident in took place in the East Stand happened in full of view of both young and elderly match-goers.
Writing in an early post after being made aware of the accusations, The 1958 said: “United fans should not be targeted or bullied for protesting legally and peacefully.”
Having been sent some of the footage directly prior to the letter, official channels and contacts were made aware immediately but are still waiting for response from the the club.
You can see more images from the sit-in protests down below, including an image of 81-year-old and lifelong Red, Michael Carney, who is being forced to give up his season tickets after 74 years to make room for new hospitality seats as part of the ‘New Trafford’ stadium designs.
As mentioned, the club are still yet to officially address the alleged assault of the fan during the sit-in protest United, but supporters are continuing to pile of the pressure both through further planned demonstrations and online.
The organisation go on to reiterate that the club were informed of the protest “well in advance of the game” and took their own measures to “ensure fans’ safety”.
Describing how the events unfolded as a failure before asking that the letter be shared with Manchester United’s data protection offer(s), the sign off as follows:
We ask for urgent confirmation that this issue is being investigated seriously and expect a full repoinse outlining the steps the club will take to address this matter.”
Georgina Pellant -
30th May 2022 
