EMU Today

YPSILANTI — The scorch is on – Eastern Michigan University will host the second annual Hot Wings Contest presented by E|Dining on Wednesday, March 6, at 1 p.m. in The Commons Dining Room, 529 St. Johns St., in Ypsilanti.  This year's event will feature former NFL quarterback Brett Hundley and other former EMU athletes. Admission to the Commons is $10.99 for anyone without a meal plan to eat and view the contest.

“We will use a variety of sauces inspired by the "Hot Ones" YouTube series,” said Greg Richards, director of marketing for E|Dining. “And true to the show, we will ask the competitors some deeply probing questions while they sweat, in addition to hosting a few very special guests during the competition.

The contest aims to create an entertaining event while celebrating spicy foods like a popular favorite, the hot wing. Five competitors will compete in six rounds, each requiring the complete consumption of a single, increasingly fiery wing. Only those who conquer all rounds without beverages will be crowned the victor.

The event also serves a charitable purpose; a portion of proceeds, specifically $1 in food from every entry to the Commons from Monday, March 4 to Wednesday, March 6, will benefit the EMU Children’s Institute, supported by The Hundley Foundation.

The Hot Wings Contest is spearheaded by Chartwells, the national food service management company behind the University’s E|Dining operation. 

"We're always trying to find unique ways to make culinary more exciting, so we figured what better way to celebrate spicy foods than a hot wing contest," said Richards.

Participants are expected to arrive by 12:30 p.m. for registration and a brief instructional session before the competition begins. Interested students can sign up online, with selected participants notified on Sunday, March 3. The contest is not just for the competitors; EMU students and faculty are encouraged to attend, and the fiery trials will be live-streamed on E|Dining's Instagram account, @emichdining.

For more information about the second annual Hot Wings event, visit the dining services informational website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.