14th Annual King of the Wing

Heats up Magens Bay!

ST. THOMAS, VI, JUNE 18, 2025 – The air was sizzling, the beats were bumping, and the wings were absolutely delicious at the 14th Annual King of the Wing competition, held this past Saturday, June 14th, 2025, at the iconic Magens Bay!

Thousands of locals and visitors flocked to the beach for one of the most anticipated events in the Virgin Islands — a high-energy, family-friendly showdown where 36 teams from the restaurant and non-restaurant divisions brought their A-game to the grill. We even had the "Mo Wings" team traveling from Vera Beach, Florida! From secret sauces to spicy rubs, competitors representing local businesses, organizations, and top eateries battled it out for the ultimate crown: King of the Wing.

But this event wasn’t just about flavor — it was also about heart. All proceeds from this year’s competition will support Coral Reef Academy, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers children with autism and developmental challenges through education and support.

Since its spicy start in 2010, King of the Wing has become a beloved island tradition, raising more than $900,000 for charity and growing in size and impact every single year.

A panel of six expert judges took on the difficult task of selecting the winners. Among them was celebrity guest judge Melissa Cottingham, owner of the wildly popular Los Angeles-based pop-up restaurant "Melnificent Wings." She has made appearances on the Food Network, Good Day LA, and ABC's Supermarket Sweep. Also joining the judging lineup was the vibrant Anquanette Gaspard, a.k.a. the Cruzan Foodie, a freelance writer and blogger whose work has appeared in Essence Magazine, Discover USVI, and Marriott Destination.

To keep the party vibes alive, DJ powerhouses Dhundee, DJ Smoke, and the VI’s own DJ Lady Mix rocked the stage all day long, setting the scene for a high-energy set by none other than Grammy Award-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco, who had the crowd moving under the Caribbean sun.

Presented by Alpine Securities and White Bay Group, King of the Wing is made possible thanks to the incredible support of sponsors like Cruzan Rum, Coca-Cola, Corona, Absolut Vodka, Rapier Med, and the USVI Department of Tourism, alongside many more dedicated partners.

For more information, contact Vernon Araujo at 340-714-2020, email kingofthewingvi@gmail.com, or visit www.kowvi.com. Be sure to follow us on social media at @alpinekow on Facebook and @kowvi on Instagram and Twitter to relive all the mouthwatering moments!

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