May 12, 2011 – Buffalo wings called Chicago’s first responders to Marina City’s Dick’s Last Resort Wednesday evening. Police and fire personnel competed for charity to see who could eat the most wings in two minutes and who could eat the hottest wings.

It was the second annual “Wing Madness” held at Dick’s. At last year’s event, more than $10,000 was raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Organizers say this year, 100 percent of proceeds will go to Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago.

Competitors in the hot wings contest, including District 18 police commander Kenneth Angarone, dined on hot pepper sauces with names such as “Blistering Insanity” and “Nuclear Nightmare.”

“Brutal” is how Angarone described it. “It hurts more on the outside of my mouth.”

Quipped emcee Mellissa Forman of WCIU-TV earlier in the evening, “If we do need emergency medical do we call 3-1-1 tonight?”

British Consul General Robert Chatterton Dickson called judging the contest “a great Chicago experience” and said, “I’m happy to do anything that helps a good cause.”

The police department won the event. Brenden McCormack won the speed-eating contest. Taking home the trophy for eating the hottest wings was officer Robert Markvart.