A TAUNTON fried chicken restaurant has won two awards at a national chicken wing competition held in Manchester.

Eat the Bird scooped the People's Choice awards in the Buffalo and Wild Wing categories at Wing Fest UK at the Trafford Centre on Sunday, September 25.

The “outrageous fried chicken” joint was runner-up in the Judge's Choice Buffalo category, finishing behind only Greidy's Wings & Strips (Birmingham).

Writing on Facebook after the competition, owner Dan Aldridge said: “Absolute scenes yesterday at Wing Fest UK in Manchester when we scooped the double in the People’s Choice award.

“They’ll sit nicely next to our second place in the Judge's Choice Buffalo wing.

“Not gonna lie, we weren’t expecting it at all. In fact, we were at our stall when our name got called because we were sure one of the other outrageous competitors would win.

“Feels good to be picking up awards in our first year with Wing Fest. Thanks to everyone we’ve met along the way, and we already can’t wait to get started next year.”

Somerset County Gazette: Buffalo (left) and Korean wings from Eat the Bird. Picture: Eat the BirdBuffalo (left) and Korean wings from Eat the Bird. Picture: Eat the Bird (Image: Eat the Bird)

Wing Fest holds competitions across the UK and aims to showcase the best chicken wings the country has to offer.

A spokesperson for Wing Fest UK said: “Congratulations to Eat The Bird on doing the double, a fantastic achievement in your debut year.”

In May, Eat the Bird celebrated its fifth birthday and made its television debut in Britain's Top Takeaways (BBC Two).

Last month, the restaurant launched its new restaurant in Cardiff by giving away 500 free burgers ahead of its official opening.

The opening of its Cardiff site comes three years after it opened its second restaurant in Sidwell Street, Exeter.

Eat the Bird's Taunton restaurant is located at Pegasus Court. For more information, visit www.eatthebird.co.uk.