A Didcot smokehouse has picked up a major accolade at one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of chicken wings, after Django’s Smokehouse won the People’s Choice Award for Best BBQ Wing at London Wing Fest 2026.
The Oxfordshire business was recognised at the three-day festival, held at London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 24 to 26 July, after competing against food businesses from across the UK.
Importantly, the award is the People’s Choice Award, voted for by festival-goers. It is separate from the event’s Judges’ Choice Award for Best BBQ Wing, which is decided by the competition’s judging panel.
London Wing Fest describes itself as the world’s largest chicken wing festival, bringing together restaurants, street food traders and barbecue specialists for a weekend dedicated to wings. This year’s event featured more than 45 traders and restaurants, with more than 500,000 wings served during the weekend.
For Django’s Smokehouse, the People’s Choice award provides recognition from the very customers the independent Oxfordshire business has built its reputation around.
“We honestly can’t put into words how proud we are of this achievement,” said a spokesperson for Django’s Smokehouse.
“We’re a small independent smokehouse with a growing following, and to be standing alongside some of the biggest names in BBQ and come away with the People’s Choice Best BBQ Wing award.”
The team said the result was particularly significant given the business’s independent roots.
“When we started Django’s, it was simply about creating food we love and sharing our passion for proper BBQ with our customers. To now have our wings recognised at the world’s biggest chicken wing festival is a very special moment for everyone involved.”
They added that winning a public vote made the achievement especially meaningful.
“We know we’re the underdogs in competitions like this, which makes the win even more meaningful. Every customer, every order and every bit of support has helped us get here, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has believed in us along the way.”
The Wing Fest success follows another recent accolade for Django’s Smokehouse, which has also been recognised with an Ox in a Box award.
Based in Didcot, Django’s Smokehouse specialises in American-style barbecue, serving slow-smoked meats, wings, burgers, loaded dishes and handmade sides. The business also provides catering for weddings, festivals, events and private occasions across Oxfordshire and beyond.
Now the winning wings are coming back to Didcot.
To celebrate the award, Django’s Smokehouse will be serving its People’s Choice-winning Best BBQ Wing at the restaurant for a limited time, giving local customers the opportunity to try the entry that proved popular with Wing Fest visitors.
“We can’t wait for everyone to come in and try the winning wings for themselves,” the team said. “This is a huge moment for Django’s, and we want our customers to be part of the celebration.”
The award-winning wings will be available for a limited time while stocks last.
For Django’s Smokehouse, the result represents another milestone for a growing independent business and puts a Didcot name firmly on the map at one of the UK’s biggest chicken wing events.
