Sonoma County Crowns Best Fried Chicken at HenHouse Brewing Cook-Off

Celebrity chef and panel of judges determine top purveyors in multiple categories

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

HenHouse Brewing in Petaluma hosted its first fried chicken cook-off on Sunday, featuring five top pop-up purveyors from around Sonoma County. After a taste test by a panel of judges led by celebrity chef Cody Candelario, Jam's Joy Bungalow was crowned the champion for best overall fried chicken, while Bayou on the Bay took home the top prize for best chicken dish with their chicken roulade. The people's choice award went to Thanks for the Invite.

Why it matters

Fried chicken has become a beloved culinary staple in Sonoma County, with numerous pop-ups and food trucks specializing in the dish. This cook-off event highlights the growing popularity and competition around who makes the best fried chicken in the region, drawing hundreds of enthusiastic fans.

The details

The five competitors included API Hot Chicken, Thanks for the Invite, Bayou on the Bay, The Spot, and Jam's Joy Bungalow, all of whom regularly pop up at local breweries and events throughout Sonoma County. The judges sampled a variety of fried chicken tenders, legs, and sliders before determining the winners. In addition to the overall champion Jam's Joy Bungalow, Bayou on the Bay took the top prize for best chicken dish with their chicken roulade, and Thanks for the Invite won the people's choice award.

  • The fried chicken cook-off was held on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
  • It was the final celebration of HenHouse Brewing's 'Big Chicken Week', marking the release of their highly sought-after Big Chicken Double IPA.

The players

Cody Candelario

A celebrity chef who led the panel of judges at the fried chicken cook-off.

Jam's Joy Bungalow

A pop-up purveyor that was crowned the champion for best overall fried chicken at the event.

Bayou on the Bay

A pop-up purveyor that won the top prize for best chicken dish with their chicken roulade.

Thanks for the Invite

A pop-up purveyor that won the people's choice award for fried chicken.

HenHouse Brewing

The Petaluma-based brewery that hosted the fried chicken cook-off as part of their 'Big Chicken Week' celebration.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This fried chicken cook-off event showcases the growing culinary scene in Sonoma County, with numerous talented pop-up purveyors competing to be crowned the best. It highlights the region's passion for this beloved comfort food and the fierce competition to determine who makes the crunchiest, most flavorful fried chicken.