Finger Lickin’ Good

I have a stellar reputation with everyone who knows me for my coffee obsession, but I’m just as well known for my passion for fried chicken. I literally could have it everyday and never grow tired of it. I guess it’s fitting, since I’m from Kentucky - home of the world’s most famous fried chicken, Colonel Sander’s own legendary “seasoned with 11 herbs and spices” chicken.

Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, opened his first restaurant on the outskirts of Laurel County - near Corbin, Kentucky. Years later, his nephew, Lee Cummings (also a resident of Laurel County) created his own recipe for fried chicken and went on to co-found the Lee’s Famous Recipe chain.

So, where else would the World Chicken Festival take place if not in Laurel county?! These two famous former residents are remembered and honored each September with a wonderfully fun and delicious festival. People come from all over to enter the competitions (Best Fried Chicken, Bluegrass Band competition, Col. Sanders lookalikes, Mother-Daughter lookalikes, Father-Son lookalikes, Chicken costumes, Clucking Contests, etc….)

More than 250,000 people come to this beautifully scenic and quiet spot in the Appalachian foothills each year. You can’t find fault with the entertainment: music, dancing, comedy, contests, children’s events, and the food so good that none of the rest matters. Fried chicken dinners and snacks abound, made in the world’s largest stainless-steel skillet. The skillet is 8 inches deep with a 10 ft x 6 in diameter and an 8 foot handle. It weighs 700 pounds and requires 300 gallons of cooking oil.

Fried chicken dinners are for sale throughout the festival and include a chicken quarter, potato salad, baked beans, and a roll.

If you’re within “striking distance”, you’ll want to cirle the dates on your calendar and head to the mountains - well, at least to the foothills. The festival hours are 5 pm to 11 pm Thursday(Sept. 22); 10 am to midnight Friday and Saturday (Sept. 23-24); and 1 pm to 5 pm Sunday(Sept. 25). They say there will be “No chicken serving hours on Sunday” - so I’d immediately chicken scratch that day off.

For more information, you can visit http://www.chickenfestival.com

I am now officially dying for some fried chicken!

Joi
Buttermilk Press

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