International Chicken Wing Day - July 1, 2024

History of International Chicken Wing Day

Chicken wings haven’t always been cherished. In fact, once upon a time, they were deemed least desirable, often disposed of, or utilized for broths. Their prestige rose in the West during the mid 20th century and it’s linked to the advent of Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.

Owners, Teressa and Frank Bellissimo, began dishing out the wings back in 1964. The backstory suggests that they mistakenly got a bulk order of wings, instead of chicken necks and backs required for spaghetti sauces. Rather than returning the shipment, Teressa had an ingenious idea. With a unique sauce, she fried these wings and presented them with a side of celery and blue cheese dressing. This new innovative dish was hence known as the Buffalo wings, paying homage to their city of origin.

As Buffalo Bills, the NFL team, started to gain recognition, Buffalo wings too became known to the national audience. In 1980, McDonald’s also attempted to offer breaded chicken wings, though the venture was not profitable and was eventually discontinued. However, the popularity of chicken wings saw resurgence in the 1990s when chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and Hooters included them in their menus.

Chicken wings’ prominence rocketed in the 2010s due to two main reasons - the uprising of gourmet food culture and food TV shows’ influence. Culinary experts began experimenting with different sauces, glazes and cooking techniques, while food TV shows showcased the delectable allure of wings.