Wing Festival Brings 21 Restaurants to Golden Nugget on Jan. 31

Golden Nugget will host Atlantic City Wing Fest on Saturday, Jan. 31. Wings pour in without limits. Twenty-one South Jersey restaurants compete while guests sample endless flavors, sip craft beer and cocktails, watch contests, then catch The Billy Walton Band.

Over 20 South Jersey restaurants battle it out. Chelsea 5 Gastropub from the Tropicana snagged the title last year.

Participants include spots from Golden Nugget: Michael Patrick's Brasserie, Dos Caminos, and Bill's Bar & Burger. Il Porcellino from Essl's Dugout fame shows up. So does 279 Social Kitchen & Craft Bar. Careme's from the Academy of Culinary Arts brings wings too. Yesterday's Creekside Tavern returns, along with Holy City Publick House, Hooters Atlantic City, The Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey, King's Pub, South Jersey Smoke House, and Carmine's. YouYu Noodle Bar at Hard Rock joins in, as does Gordon Ramsay Steak at Harrah's.

Five fresh competitors arrive this year. Tony Boloney's enters the ring. The Byrdcage shows what it's got, alongside Angeloni's II/Club Madrid. Pic-A-Lilli Inn in Shamong makes an appearance. Rhythm & Spirits in Philadelphia crosses state lines to compete.

Attendees cast votes. Professional judges taste entries without knowing who made them.

The Billy Walton Band plays throughout the event — one of the hottest rock bands in the tri-state area, according to promoters.

Paris Produce sponsors the competition. The Grand Ballroom at Golden Nugget Atlantic City hosts the festival.

Tickets for the 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. session start at $64.55. Admission covers unlimited wings and dipping sauces from all restaurants. Drink and craft beer specials sweeten the deal, plus giveaways and contests. All attendees must be 21 or older.