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This weekend, bad-eating habits continued to develop as the eight-annual Baconfest took place over at the UIC Forum. Organizers said about 4,500 people showed up —the same as last year— while 150 chefs showcased their creativity with pork products.
The folks from Osteria Langhe and chef Cameron Grant were gunning hard for the festival's Golden Rasher, recognizing the most creative use of bacon. Grant and his team spent numerous hours hand-rolling their pastas, stuffing it with bacon and adding jalapeño and serrano peppers. Grant made his dream come true as he took home the award for the Saturday dinner session.
There was even a celebrity sighting. Chicago native Hannibal Buress and friends strolled around on Saturday night, keeping a low profile. Check out the winners below.
[Photo: Ashok Selvam]
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Osteria Langhe's entry
Saturday Lunch
Most Creative Use of Bacon
Honey Butter Fried Chicken (Joshua Kulp & Christine Cikowski): Bacon Chicken and Grits
Best Front of House Presentation
Mity Nice Bar & Grill (John Chiakulas): Pigskin Wings
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Le Bouchon's entry
Le Bouchon & La Sardine: Bacon Forest Sundae
Saturday Dinner
Most Creative Use of Bacon
Osteria Langhe (Cameron Grant) Bacon Plin with smoky dijon serrano jus
Best Front of House Presentation
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GingerSnap Sweets' entry
GingerSnap Sweets & Such (Jen Templeton): Bacon Opera Cake
The Bad Apple (Craig Fass): Baconthology, The smokey and tasty history of bacon
Sunday Brunch
Most Creative Use of Bacon
Mercat a la Planxa: Arroz de Iberico pancetta
Best Front of House Presentation
Italian Village: Beer and bacon pancakes
Pork & Mindy's: Fire-rubbed pig candy BLT