Oink, Oink!

Cochon 555 is back on March 22, 2015!  I'll be judging and then participating in all of the fun.  Join me at this one-of-a-kind culinary competition embark on a journey to the new hyper-local culinary landscape, one whole pig at a time.

The tour is aligned with the modern-day good food movement — notable chefs, barrier-breaking women, artist-like butchers, spirited bartenders, top winemakers, brewers, distillers and brazen pastry talent working together to prepare an epic feast celebrating responsible family farming. Going on its seventh year, Cochon 555 is regarded as the nation’s most flavorful culinary event, from entry to exit, each bite is specially designed to win over the public.

The weekend of gastronomy culminates Sunday in a must-do culinary experience featuring five chefs cooking five pigs in a friendly competition for a cause. This year’s competing chefs include Spike Mendelsohn of Bearnaise, Victor Albisu of Del Campo & Taco Bamba, Jeffrey Buben of Vidalia, Danny Lee of Mandu and Jonah Kim of Yona. The five chefs, champions of whole hog utilization, will prepare a maximum of six dishes with hopes to win votes from a crowd of hungry gourmands and celebrated judges.

The DC version of this fairy-tale heritage pork event includes more than 36 chef-prepared dishes in an all-inclusive stand up reception with tastings from Washington State Wine and Wines of Rioja. Cochon’s “pop-up” culinary experiences include the Petit Format Bar presented by Wilsonart® Quartz decorative surfacing featuring a selection of amazing half-bottles, the Wines of Rioja Tapas Bar spotlighting a chef and the delicacies of Agromar. Guests can visit the Mezcal Chupito Bar and enter to win a 4-day Mezcal adventure to Mexico. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy Buffalo Trace’s “Welcome Punch Reception” paired with a delicious bite. Attendees will sample foods at signature experiences like the Artisan Cheese Bar from Righteous Cheese, Rappahannock Oyster Shelf, Red Apron Butcher Bacon, Black River Caviar and the infamous TarTare Bar featuring Kyle Bailey from Birch and Barley. Bourbon and whiskey lovers rejoice with the return of the Whistle Pig Rye and the “Perfect Manhattan Experience” featuring Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, Breckenridge Bourbon, New Holland Artisan Spirits and Hirsch finished with Luxardo cherries in this hand-prepared classic topped with a special treat from Creminelli. Guests of VIP can enjoy samples from five of the city’s best barkeeps as they compete in Punch Kings - the tour’s whole bottle “meats” golden gloves competition, featuring Breckenridge Bourbon. As guests leave the event, they’ll receive a special departing gift from La Brea Bakery.

We are proud to announce the return of the Pop-Up Butcher Shop with the support of Williams-Sonoma – a live butchering demonstration with Alexia Sutter of Red Apron Butcher, raising money for Le Cordon Bleu. New sponsors in 2015 include Whistle Pig & PANNA’s new Simmer app. Finally, the winner will be announced followed by a spotlight Awards Toast. Following the event, all the guests are invited to the Chef’s After Party. 

On March 20, the weekend takeover commences with the Chef’s Course Dinner at Birch & Barley. This seated five-course dinner prepared by five guest chefs led by Kyle Bailey and featuring Washington State Wine. On Saturday, the Large Format “PDC” Dinner will be hosted at Del Campo with Chef Victor Albisu, Creekstone Farms and Anchor Distilling.

Both ticket levels include endless food and drink options. Specifically, general admission offers over 36 dishes prepared from nose to tail, paired with wines, brews and spirits. VIP guests are invited to attend a seminar hosted by Washington State Wines and one hour early access to food, drink and an opportunity to mingle with notable chefs, judges and media. All are invited to the Cochon 555 After Party.

Where: UNION MARKET - Official Host

1309 5TH St. NE

Washington, DC 20002

When: Sunday, Mar. 22, 2015

VIP Admission: 4PM 

General Admission: 5PM

Tickets: $125 General Admission

$200 VIP

Purchase tickets at www.cochon555.com

Fans of this epic culinary competition can satisfy their hunger in other ways by getting in on the action and entering any of the live Cochon contests. Visit cochon555.com/win/ and sign up to win your chance at a Cochon monumental experience, which includes unforgettable trips and extravagant prizes that are worth more than $25,000. Lucky winners will be rewarded with prizes that include an epic trip to the Rioja Wine and Tapas festival in Chicago on May 2, a newly resurfaced dream kitchen sponsored by Williams-Sonoma, Wilsonart®, Shun, Chefs Feed & Food Republic and a four-day trip to Mexico. The Mexican getaway, presented by Mezcales de Leyenda, Simmer, Panna Cooking and Cochon 555, asks contest participants to share their favorite Mezcal recipe using the Simmer App on their iPhone. It’s time for Cochon fans to get treated! Don’t miss out on these unforgettable opportunities and sign up today.

Photos by Kristen Finn