I had the chance to witness a clash of the chicken wings this past weekend. I’m talking about the Southern Wing Showdown! This culinary fight to this finish was held at the Foundry at Puritan Mill in Atlanta, and I was so happy to spend my #sundayfunday engaging in a bit of fowl play (see what I did there?).

And these weren’t the run-of-the-mill chicken wings from your local bar and grill. The 25 chefs in attendance served recipes that showcased unique flavor profiles as a nod to the high-end restaurants for which they represented.

Of course, because this is called a “showdown”, the event included a competition. Each attendee had the opportunity to cast their vote for the best recipe.

Even better, this event benefits worthy causes around the city of Atlanta. Second Helpings Atlanta, a non-profit that saves food from food donors and shares it with those in need, will receive any food left over from the festival. The proceeds from the event will also benefit Open Hands, which is an organization that gives nutrition care for people with chronic illnesses. That gives me all the feels…

Check out some of the finger lickin’ good submissions!

Bhojanic – Archina Becker – Mango Chili Wings

Saltyard – Nick Leahy – Slow Roasted Wings with Carmelized Honey and Chilean Pepper Hot Sauce, Bleu Cheese Slaw, and Pickled Okra

JCT Kitchen – Brian Meiler – Fried Chicken

Table & Main – Woody Back – Smoked Spice Peach Wings

Bonterra – Blake Hartwick – Smoked Wings with Kentuckyaki and Apricot Glaze and Toasted Benne

Richard’s Southern Fried – Todd Richards – Richard’s Southern Fried Hot Chicken Wings

We were up to our ears in chicken wings, but we had other delicious items to enjoy as well.

After all that savory goodness, my sweet tooth was happy when I tried High Road Craft’s Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie. It’s Bourbon burnt sugar ice cream served with a sweet potato pie bar topped with torched marshmallow and maple-cider caramel.

And of course, I enjoyed a few cocktails and liquor samples to wash it all down.

There’s fruit in there….so that means this Dixie Vodka cocktail is healthy, right?

Rivulet liquer sample. This would be absolute perfection in a cake…or just in a glass by itself.

George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey’s Hollapeño Mule…just the right amount of heat and sweet.

As for the winner of this Southern Wing Showdown Shebang…it was none other than Charlie Loomis of The Feed Co. Table & Tavern. His submission, the Buffalo “Hoff” Wings — Crispy fried wing tossed in Hoff and Pepper Buffalo sauce with smoked blue cheese dressing was a hit with attendees. Congrats to him!

Can you imagine enjoying all of this? And I’m only showing you a small number of the incredible eats that were provided. You definitely don’t want to miss the next round of this culinary fight to the finish.