Food Wars hit Brooklyn

Are you ready to rumble? This week brings two food competitions to Brooklyn that sadly, I'll have to miss. But just because I have to abstain, that doesn't mean I want you to miss out on all the fun.

First up is The Best Wings In Brooklyn contest being held tomorrow night at the Red Star Bar. 17 of the best bars and culinary establishments, from all over the Borough, notorious for their wings are set to cook-off at 3PM on Saturday, February 13.

One of my favorite local bars, and I think the only participant that doesn't come from the land of the hipsters, Wheeler's of Sheepshead Bay is competing. I want to see South Brooklyn kick some hipster ass! Go Wheeler's!

Brooklyn journalists and culinary editors Nick D'Arienzo of the Brooklyn Star-Queens Ledger Newspaper Group, Gersh Kuntzman, Editor, The Brooklyn Paper and Annaliese Griffin, Senior Editor, Brooklyn Based will put their expert taste buds to the test and select the Best Wing in Brooklyn. The community has a say, too.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will hand out awards for the Best Wing in Brooklyn, 2 Best Wing Runners-up, and a People’s Choice Award.

And what’s a Brooklyn wing competition without the best beer in Brooklyn? Brooklyn Brewery will be featuring 6 of their finest beers on tap, including Brooklyn Lager, Winter Ale, East India Pale Ale, and their Brewmaster Reserves, Blast, Back Breaker and Cookie Jar Porter, a new addition to the Brewmaster roster.

Free wings; no cover. FREE WINGS! Free wings! Do you hear me? Damn, and I have to miss this. RSVP on their Facebook page.

Red Star Bar 37 Greenpoint Avenue Brooklyn, NY

And on Thursday is The Crostini Cook-off being thrown by Cathy Erway in honor of the launch of her new book, The Art of Eating In. Cathy is joined by Matt Timms, organizer of the long running Chili (and other assorted food stuffs) Takedowns and takes place at The Bell House. Matt does a great job with these Takedowns and this looks like a real blast.

The Bell House 149 7th Street between 2nd & 3rd Aves, Brooklyn, close to Smith/9th Street and 4th/9th on the F and G trains.

Advance tickets recommended, on sale now!$10 admission includes tastes from crostini cook-off entries, appetizers from Hapa Kitchen and A Razor A Shiny Knife, beer specials, music all night. All guests must present ID to gain entry.