Ode to Oink
Few things in the food world cause as vehement of a reaction as bacon. No one person you speak with is indifferent to the fatty, porky, versatile food. There is the "I am over bacon or never ate it because I'm a vegan" camp, and the "Oh my, I love bacon on EVERYTHING" camp. Bacon Fest 2014 is obviously an event for the latter. Bacon Fest, in all of its sowbelly glory, will converge on Kino Memorial Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way, on June 7th from 6-10 p.m. We are talking bacon, bacon desserts, bacon drinks, spicy bacon, cheesy bacon, and more bacon, but let's not forget beer too! There will be approximately 30 food and 25 brew vendors to keep you all porked up. Food purveyors include such names as Rocco's, Elliott's on Congress, Dante's Fire, Pastiche and last year's best of show, BK's Carne Asada and Hot Dogs. There will also be live music and DJ's to keep the party jumpin'. This will be Tucson's second Bacon Fest and for those who attended or heard about last year's less-than-smooth pork party, know that the Bacon powers to be were not fully prepared for all of the bacon lovers. Rest assured, organizers of this year's event assure us they have equipped itself for the floods of crowds drawn robust allure of bacon. Tickets range from $45 to $100 (VIP), and include all food and adult beverages. The event is 21 and older, so keep the piglets in the pen. A portion of the proceeds benefit the nonprofit charity, Rally Point at La Frontera of Arizona. For a complete list of vendors or to buy tickets, visit: http://www.arizonabaconfest.net.
It's a Conspiracy!
Food Conspiracy Co-op is celebrating the release of a new product, Conspiracy Beer. The celebration is a Bike and Beer Brunch, on Sunday, June 1, departing, for a leisurely bike ride through downtown, from Food Conspiracy Co-op, 412 N. Fourth Ave., at 9 a.m. After the ride, there will be brunch at Tap & Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave. at 10:30 a.m. You do not have to ride to eat and drink! Brunch and a beer is $15. For tickets, click: www.foodconspiracy.coop. Now back to the conspiracy theory: Conspiracy beer will be brewed by a local Tucson microbrewery, with the style of beer changing every two months. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Conspiracy Beer will benefit a local nonprofit, and will be available by the glass at Tap & Bottle.
The first batch of Conspiracy Beer will be an English Pale Ale brewed by Iron John's Brewing Co. and sales of the beer will benefit El Grupo Youth Cycling Club.
Meet the Iron Chefs and Vote
The 2014 Iron Chef Tucson Culinary Experience will go down on June 28th at the Westin La Paloma Resort. However, voting for the finalist chefs is happening now! You can vote here: http://www.ironcheftucson.com/thecompetition. For those who take your food as serious as your politics, you can meet the chefs prior to voting, at the Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel, 7350 S Nogales Hwy, on May 29th from 5:30 to 7:30pm. The Meet the Chefs event is free, and includes samples from the chefs. More on the 2014 Iron Chef Tucson Culinary Experience to come.
