Here's What You Missed at Baconfest Chicago 2016

Story overview: Here's What You Missed at Baconfest Chicago 2016

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Baconfest Chicago finished its eighth year feeding over 4,500 people as 150 of Chicago's chefs joined together for a weekend festival at UIC Forum for three sessions of bacon-inspired cocktails, craft beer and unlimited bacon treats. We were there to check out all the porky goodness, here's what we saw!

"We are really honored to be a part of Chicago's foodie scene and have seen first hand how it has grown... " - Seth Zurer, co-founder of Baconfest Chicago

Bacon and Bourbon Baklava from Sheekar Delights for Here's What You Missed at Baconfest Chicago 2016 — Bacon and Bourbon Baklava from Sheekar Delights

As part of each session, participating chefs competed for the Golden Rasher Award, an award to celebrate special achievement in the bacon arts. A panel of judges gave awards for "Most Creative Use of Bacon" and "Best Front of House Presentation."

Bacon Bourguigon from Trouquet River North for Here's What You Missed at Baconfest Chicago 2016 — Bacon Bourguigon from Trouquet River North

The winners of each award are as follows:

Most Creative Use of Bacon:

Saturday Lunch:Honey Butter Fried Chicken - Joshua Kulp & Christine Cikowski, Bacon Chicken and Grits

Saturday Dinner: Osteria Langhe - Cameron Grant Bacon Plin - With smoky dijon serrano jus

Sunday Brunch: Mercat a la Planxa

Bacon Chicken and Grits from Honey Butter Fried Chicken for Here's What You Missed at Baconfest Chicago 2016 — Bacon Chicken and Grits from Honey Butter Fried Chicken

Best Front of House Presentation:

Saturday Lunch: Mity Nice Bar & Grill - John Chiakulas, Pigskin Wings

Saturday Dinner: GingerSnap Sweets & Such - Jen Templeton Bacon Opera Cake and The Bad Apple - Craig Fass Baconthology - The smokey and tasty history of bacon

Sunday Brunch: Italian Village and Pork & Mindy's

Bacon Cinnamon Rolls from West Town Bakery for Here's What You Missed at Baconfest Chicago 2016 — Bacon Cinnamon Rolls from West Town Bakery

Baconfest Chicago also presented $50,000 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an organization that makes sure no one goes hungry in the Second City.

Bacon cocktail from Lockwood Restaurant and Bar for Here's What You Missed at Baconfest Chicago 2016 — Bacon cocktail from Lockwood Restaurant and Bar

"We now have the best chefs in the city participating, chefs that are Michelin-Star recipients, James Beard nominees, on the 2016 Bib Gourmand List all creating delectable bacon dishes." - Seth Zurer