Back by popular demand for 2019, was the friendly chicken-wing eating competition between local news stations including WSVN-TV, WPLG Local10, NBC 6 Miami, and CBS 4 Miami. Afterward, more than 66 teams, each comprised of four hungry competitors, battled for the fastest time to eat 50 wings in the Official Wing Eating Competition.

Wings For Wishes was developed in 2014 when local professionals and Make-A-Wish Champions Gal Bensaadon & Brian Exelbert were eating chicken wings during their usual Friday lunch. Their goal was to create a unique fundraising concept accessible to a broad audience.  Along with the generous support of Sports Grill, the Wings for Wishes event was born. The amount raised from this year’s event was enough to grant the wishes of 50 children battling critical illnesses. To date, Wings For Wishes has raised over $585,000, all going directly to granting wishes.

“It’s incredible to think on what we’ve accomplished in just five years,” said Gal Bensaadon. “With this year’s success and the tremendous support from our sponsors, families, and friends we’ve raised enough money to grant 116 wishes. The families that we celebrate are the true heroes in this story.  What they experience on a daily basis is difficult to fathom. If we can hit the pause button on that and bring joy into their lives, then we’ve achieved something pretty awesome.”

“What started as a simple idea to do something fun and different to raise money for a charity, has developed into granting hundreds of wishes and touching thousands of lives,” said Brian Exelbert.  “We created a special moment in time when companies, executives, politicians, community leaders, and passionate volunteers come together for one common goal, to create and grant wishes.”

The event also featured the new Signature Wing Tasting that offered unique chicken wing recipes from Sports Grill, Chiffa, House of Mac, Town Kitchen & Bar, Tap 42, Miccosukee Restaurant, and McCormick’s. A Miami favorite, Lokal, was also on hand to serve their famous chili. In all, over 14,500 wings were consumed. The crowd also enjoyed delectable desserts, cold libations, live music from the School of Rock, raffles, and family-friendly activities in the Kid’s Zone.