Today is National Chicken Wing Day, and I decided to do something a little different. Instead of photographing just wings, I thought—why not stack them on waffles? A twist on the classic chicken and waffles that has been a Southern comfort food staple for generations.

Chicken and waffles has deep roots in American food history. Its origins trace back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, where fried chicken and waffles were served together in the South. The pairing later became iconic in Harlem’s jazz clubs during the 1930s and 40s, offered as a hearty dish for late-night musicians and patrons—too early for dinner, too late for breakfast. Over time, it became a combination that blends sweet, savory, and crispy textures in one plate.

As for National Chicken Wing Day, that’s thanks to Buffalo, New York—the city credited with creating the Buffalo-style wing in 1964 at the Anchor Bar. Teressa Bellissimo is said to have fried leftover chicken wings for her son and his friends, tossing them in a spicy sauce and serving them with celery and blue cheese. The idea took off. By 1977, Buffalo declared July 29th as National Chicken Wing Day, cementing the city’s claim to the now-famous bar food.

So here we are—Buffalo wings meet Belgian waffles, photographed just as they were plated. No styling, no tricks. A nod to both a food holiday and an enduring classic that continues to reinvent itself.

Take a look at more of my work in my Commercial Food Photography gallery here:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000WFAqDJQOgKU