Cochon Heritage BBQ Announces Chicago Chef Line-Up

Cochon555 has announced the 2016 chef lineup for the annual event promoting heritage breed pigs and diverse food cultures. Returning to Chicago for the 3rd annual Heritage BBQ, the festivities take place at Loews Chicago Hotel - the official host for the weekend on September 11. Heritage BBQ is a culinary competition featuring five chefs cooking whole, heritage breed pigs with global flavors and cooking techniques.

Each chef is given a 180 to 220 pound heritage breed pig to create six dishes for a crowd of pork-loving enthusiasts. Chefs must then present a “Judge’s Plate” of six dishes scored on utilization, global influences,
cooking techniques, and overall flavor. The winner who exceeds in thosecategories is crowned the “BBQ King” of Chicago. In addition to sampling the competitor’s dishes, the all-inclusive ticket includes “BBQ Traditions” – Cochon’s fringe festival of flavor - where notable chefs prepare one dish from their favorite BBQ culture in a non-competitive spirit of collective feasting.

This year's Cochon555 Heritage BBQ chefs include:

Competing Chefs

Chef Won Kim of Kimski  - Korean-Polish Fusion Fare

Chef Frank Valdez of Son of a Butcher Tavern - Modern American Tavern and BBQ Pit

Chef Andres Padilla of Topolobampo and Frontera Grill - Ingredient-Driven Mexican

Chef Chris Pandel of The Bristol - New American Gastropub and Nose-to-Tail Cooking

Chef Ashlee Aubin of Salero - Modern Spanish Cuisine

Traditions Chefs

Chefs Rob Levitt and Jimmy Shay of The Butcher and Larder - Whole-Animal Butcher

Chef John Manion of La Sirena Clandestina and El Che Bar - Latin-Inspired Tapas

Chef Jonathan Meyer of Broken Shaker @ Freehand - Street Food-Inspired Global Plates

Chef Greg Laketek of West Loop Salumi - Modern Salumeria

Chef Dan Pancake of Autre Monde - Innovative Mediterranean

Chef Cameron Grant of of Osteria Langhe and Animale – Authentic Italian

Chef Chris Davies of Steadfast – New American with Mediterranean and Portuguese Influence

Cochon555 events are also theaters for innovative spirit, wine, and cocktail experiences. Libations include a Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old paired with a local chef, the Smoked Old Fashioned with Breckenridge Bourbon; a Manhattan Bar featuring Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace bourbons; the Don Julio Perfect Margarita Experience; Tiki Bar presented by Perfect Puree of Napa Valley; and a Heritage Rum Cart.Wines being poured include Antica Napa Valley; Lake Sonoma Winery; and a vermouth tasting by Martinez Lacuesta.

Tickets for general admission start at $100, and VIP tickets for early admission are $150. To purchase tickets, visit the website http://cochon555.com/2016-tour.

Where:              Loews Chicago Hotel, 455 N Park Dr, Chicago  312.840.6600

When:               Sunday, September 11 (3 p.m. for VIP; 4 p.m. for General Admission)