The world's biggest chicken wing festival is expanding into Norwich, with the event founder returning to his Norfolk roots.

Richard Thacker, 40, launched Wing Fest in London in 2014 and this year he is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Over the last decade, it has expanded to cities across the country with events in Manchester, Derby, Bristol and, new for this year, Sheffield and Norwich.

Norwich Evening News: Richard Thacker, who grew up in Norwich, is the founder of Wing Fest Richard Thacker, who grew up in Norwich, is the founder of Wing Fest (Image: Wing Fest)

Norwich Wing Fest is from August 16 to August 18 2024 at Junkyard Market, located in the car park outside St Mary's Works.

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There will be bookable sessions and at least 12 chicken wing traders at the event alongside eating competitions. 

Mr Thacker said: "We like to promote the local chicken wing scene and we also bring some of our star traders from across the country." 

Norwich Evening News: There will be eating competitions at Norwich Wing Fest There will be eating competitions at Norwich Wing Fest (Image: Wing Fest)

Mr Thacker grew up in Norwich and his dad used to have a chicken farm in Suffolk, where he would spend his school holidays helping out. 

He then had Randy's Wing Bar in London and he first launched the festival to promote his business, which he no longer runs due to the event's success.

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He said: "The first Wing Fest in 2014 was in a pub car park in Hackney with 300 people, which sold out reasonably quickly.

Norwich Evening News: There will be chicken wings from a mix of local and national tradersThere will be chicken wings from a mix of local and national traders (Image: Wing Fest)

"Fast forward 10 years and we get 20,000 people at the London event - it is the largest chicken wing festival in the world."

In Norwich, there will also be live music and included in the price is a trucker hat and games such as axe throwing.

There will be public and judge's awards given to the best chicken wings. 

Mr Thacker added: "It is an incredible feeling to come back to the area where it started all those years ago on a chicken farm and I can bring all my family along." 

Tickets cost from £19.50-£22.50 and under 12s go free - they go on sale on February 29 at wingfest.co.uk