Wingstock 2025 at the Geneva Bar & Grill

The Geneva Bar and Grill “Wingstock 2025 “on Saturday, May 3, featured a backyard and wing cookoff as well as a wing eating contest. The event enjoyed sunny skies to go along with the food and drinks. Cars filled parking spaces for blocks around, with more pulling up every minute. This event was sponsored by Smokin’ Barrel Barbeque LLC.

First Place and People’s Choice Award went to Brett Kubiatowicz, who received $150 and a trophy. Second Place went to Matt Kubiatowicz. He received $100 and a trophy. Third Place went to Todd Ide. He received $50 and a trophy. There were 11 competitors.

John Lynn was a customer for the day, a self-professed wing lover. With his cane at his side, he couldn’t get around as fast as he might have liked, but he was determined to sample some wings. “You gotta eat at least two wings to get the feel for the taste, so that’s what I’m doing, getting two from everyone, but I might stop at six.” His tasting rotation started under the Wicked Wings tent with the flavor “Tropical Fire.” The flavor was his ultimate choice as the best; he described it as, “Very fruity and very spicy. I like spicy. The Tropical Fire was the best.” He took a moment to sit before moving on to another sampler.

Parker Njos, Nick Knutson, Kyle Njos competed in the event last year, and were back with “a Thai Sweet Chili wet sauce wing, and for a dry spice we have a salt/pepper/garlic rub.”

Todd Ide from Geneva was next to them. He won the People’s Choice Award last year for Wingstock 2024. He was pleased to be located near the back door of the bar where all the action was.

Geneva Bar and Grill was serving drinks and adult beverages near the Smokin’ Barrel Barbeque counter. The Smokin’ Barrel was also selling a table of 11 dry rubs, spices and 6 BBQ sauces and other merchandise.

Other contestants were Isaac Sorenson and Tyler Doran, who took third place in 2024. This year they tried honey garlic and a honey spice, said Sorenson, “It’s a hobby for me; this is my second year and it’s already better than last year.” Walker Stadheim, was also competing for his second year; he prepared a hot honey ranch wing. James Sorenson and Gabe Beal had a garlic Parmesan, bourbon honey and an Asian zing. This is their first year. Matt Kubiatowicz had an Asian zing, orange, honey BBQ and Buffalo with Alabama white sauce.

Brett Kubiatowicz had a previously unheard of flavor called “strawberry barbecue.” He said, “I am definitely doing this next year.”

Sara Engleby, who helped to organize the day’s event said, “Everything went great. Everyone had a good time. We want to give a shoutout to our sponsors, Geneva Lumber, the Geneva Bar & Grill and 10,000 Custom Designs.”