News

October 11, 2023

Ya Ya’s House Southern Cuisine Claims winner for 2nd Year with a feisty Smokey Honey Cajun Wing

A total of 20 locations served up a mouthwatering selection of chicken wing recipes during the 10th Annual Wing Walk today from 12:00-5:00 p.m. in Downtown Schenectady.

Carney McGuire, Interim Executive Director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC), said, “Downtown Schenectady was the place to be again today! The rain could not stop the nearly 2250 devoted wing tasters from coming out and enjoying this much anticipated annual community event.  Big thanks to the restaurants for once again bringing their A-Game in creativity and a little friendly competition. We were thrilled to see our businesses receive such great exposure, as well as a major economic boost.”

Guests were encouraged to cast votes for their favorite wing flavor; the votes were cast in special locked ballot boxes placed around downtown. After all ballots were counted following the event, the 2023 Wing Walk winners by popular vote were as follows:

  • First place went to Ya Ya’s House Southern Cuisine for their Smokey Honey Cajun Wing.
  • Second place went to The Nest for their Cherry Pepper Caroline BBQ Ranch Wing.
  • Third place went to Simone’s Kitchen for their Fire Roasted Wing with Zesty Zhug and Lemon Labne

 In addition to the popular vote, our panel of special guest judges rated wings in several categories. Judges were Local Artist, Fran Giordano, Jessica Cameris of Proctor’s Collaborative and Nellie Ackerman of Feed Me 518. Judges’ picks were:

  • Judges’ Top Wing: the Nest Restaurant and Bar with the Cherry Pepper Caroline BBQ Ranch Wing
  • Best Sauce or Rub: Hunter’s on Jay with the Chipol-Tang Dry Rub Wing
  • Most Creative: Simone’s Kitchen with the Fire Roasted Wing with Zesty Zhug and Lemon Labne Wing
  • Most True to Flavor: Katie O’Byrne’s with the Smoked Guinness Glazed Wing
  • Best Bite: YaYa’s House of Southern Cuisine with the Smokey Honey Cajun Wing

The 10th Annual Wing Walk was presented by the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation in partnership with downtown restaurants.