By Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt
Bacon: a food that needs no introduction. It is not only one of the most delicious foods, but also one of the most versatile. Bacon can be a key ingredient from breakfast to dessert and everything in between.
Starting Monday (Jan. 23) and going until Saturday (Jan. 29), bacon will be getting its annual recognition as a true delight with the kickoff of Sacramento Bacon Fest.
Sacramento Bacon Fest has been bringing the best of bacon to Sacramento for years and this year is no different. Each day of the week promises an event filled with fun, good drinks, good food and of course, bacon. Listed below is the schedule of events and almost certainly something that will please your palette. The year’s closing event, the 6th Annual Chef’s Challenge, is unfortunately sold out at this time, but tickets will be given away at other events throughout the week, so make sure you attend one of those for your chance to win a sought-after ticket!
Monday, January 23:
Opening Nite Party
Kick off the week at Formoli’s Bistro! A ticket includes your first drink and access to six different bacon appetizers.
Formoli’s Bistro
3839 J Street
5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 (includes one drink)
Tuesday, January 24:
Bacon Bao Bing
The Golden Bear and The Jungle Bird are also joining in on the festivities. Each restaurant will create their own version of Moo Shu Pork, alongside some delicious appetizers and cocktails. Start your night at either location and head over to the other when you are ready. Purchase tickets here.
The Golden Bear
2326 K Street
The Jungle Bird
2516 J Street
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $40 (includes Moo Shu Pork at both locations)
Wednesday, January 25:
Bacon Burger Battle
Empress Tavern hosts this battle of epic proportions. Three chefs will go head to head to create the end-all and be-all of bacon burgers. Witness the battle and enjoy some of the food and drinks on special for the night. Purchase tickets here and read our review of Empress Tavern here.
Empress Tavern
1013 K Street
9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 (does not include food purchase)
Thursday, January 26:
Bacon with Keller Crafted Meats
Sure, you know that bacon is delicious, but what about everything that goes into it? Learn that and much more with as Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op presents Mayumi Tavalero of Keller Crafted Meats. Tavalero will demonstrate a four-course meal featuring everyone’s favorite ingredient. Guests will get a taste of each recipe and a complimentary glass of wine. Purchase tickets here.
Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op Community Learning Center and Cooking School
2820 R Street
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $49 (general) and $40 (for co-op owners)
Friday, January 27:
Kevin Bacon Soundtrack Tribute Show
There can be no Bacon Fest without throwing a little Kevin Bacon in there too. Torch Club is hosting a night where eight local bands cover songs featured on Kevin Bacon soundtracks, with some bacon treats mixed in too.*
Torch Club
904 15th Street
9:00 p.m.
Cost: $8
* Ages 21+
Saturday, January 28
Nick and Guido Bottle Release
Bike Dog Brewing Co. kicks off Saturday’s events with the unveiling of a special brew named after Nick and Guido, the founders of Bacon Fest. The imperial brown ale, with a hint of smoked malt and a touch of a maple syrup, will be on tap and Chef Kelly Hogge, 2013 Triple Crown Bacon Fest winner, will be dishing out a bacon inspired breakfast.
Bike Dog Brewing
2534 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 110
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Bacon, Bites, & Beer
Once breakfast is over, Track 7 Brewing Co. is making sure the party doesn’t stop. The event has brews on tap and Cecil’s Taste will be parked outside promising a menu loaded with bacon.
Track 7 Brewing Co.
3747 W. Pacific Ave, Suite F
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 29
6th Annual Chef’s Challenge
The most exciting event of the week, hosted by Mulvaney’s, will feature ten chefs competing for a variety of titles all surrounding their creativity in using bacon. A ticket grants access to a taste of each dish, wine and beer and some swag from Sacramento Bacon Fest. Unfortunately, this event is now sold out, but tickets are being given away throughout the week, stay up to date on Bacon Fest happenings!
Mulvaney’s B&L
1215 19th Street
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
SacFoodies Weekend Picks
Sacramento’s Bacon Fest is officially underway, and while many events are already sold out, there are still opportunities to partake in some bacon-y shenanigans.
The Baddest Bacon Happy Hour
The Golden Bear is the place to be Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the “Baddest Bacon Happy Hour.” We’re not sure what that means, but this is coming from the folks that created the Juicy Lucy Burger, so it’s bound to be amazing.
The Golden Bear
2326 K St.
Sacramento
www.goldenbear916.com
Hook & Ladder’s Bacon Fest Brunch
Midtown favorite Hook & Ladder goes pork goodness for this very special Bacon Fest brunch!
If you love brunch as much as we do, then you will run (don’t walk!) to Hook & Ladder this Saturday for a special Bacon Fest brunch. In fact, they will open one hour early, at 9 a.m., to serve more pork goodness.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of their swoon-worthy menu items:
Pancetta & Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuit Sando with Peppered Bacon, Fried Egg & Maple Aioli
Fried Bacon & Banana French Toast with Crispy Bacon & Salted Caramel Gelato
Bacon Wrapped Chimichanga with Scrambled Eggs, Habanero Jack Cheese, Pickled Red Onion, Guacamole, Black Beans & Charred Tomato Salsa
Pork Belly Hash with Roasted Peppers, Potato, Onion, Pumpkin, Rainbow Chard, Chipotle Hollandaise & Two Poached Eggs
And don’t forget beverage like the Pepper-Bacon Bloody Mary or Maple-Bacon Fizz! Brunch is available until 2 p.m.
Hook & Ladder
1630 S St.
Sacramento
www.hookandladder916.com
Pangaea’s Fifth Annual Bacon & Beer Night
If you didn’t get your fill of bacon at brunch, (editor note: is there such thing as too much bacon??), then head over to Pangaea Bier Café on Saturday night for their bacon festivities. It does have a bit of secrecy to it, but here’s what we know: there will be beer, bacon and Bacon Suicide IPA. We’re in!
Pangaea Bier Café
2743 Franklin
Sacramento
www.pangaeabiercafe.com
Bacon Fest Sacramento presents BLT Week
Have you heard it’s BLT Week? That’s right, the folks who put on Bacon Fest are continuing to keep the love for bacon alive here in Sacramento.
BLT Week kicked off on Monday with several Sacramento restaurants bringing their specialty BLT’s, and in some cases bacon ice cream and bacon cocktails, to the forefront. A few of the participating restaurants include Mulvaney’s B&L, Grange, Low Brau Magpie, Selland’s and Ten 22.
The week will culminate with “Beer & Bacon on the Boulevard” at Pangaea (3rd Ave and Franklin Blvd) this Saturday, July 20 from 2-8 p.m. The event will feature BLT bites, live DJs and the release of a specialty IPA from Track 7 Brewing Co. to commemorate Pangaea’s Fifth Anniversary.
Sponsored by the California Pork Producers Association, the Bacon Fest Sacramento organization is not just about the deliciousness that is bacon; they are also committed to only using pork that has been raised ethically and sustainably. Proceeds from this weeklong celebration of the classic BLT Sandwich go right back into the community, benefiting Sacramento chefs and restaurateurs and the Center for Land Based Learning.
Admission to the event is free, but tickets are needed for the $2 BLT Bites or beer tasting. To avoid long lines on Saturday, purchase a ‘fast track’ pass for $15 (plus a small processing fee). The pass will allow you access to the fast track line (who doesn’t love cutting in line for a cold brew?), a commemorative glass and tickets for two beers. Purchase tickets here.
Head over to the Bacon Fest Sacramento Facebook page for a full list of restaurants participating in BLT Week and to learn more about Saturday’s event.
Bacon Fest is Coming to Sacramento Jan. 20 – 27
There are few culinary phenomenons quite like bacon. It has long surpassed being the sidekick to eggs and now has become a (much-deserved) star on its own, which is why we’re so excited about Bacon Fest coming to Sacramento January 20 -27. Sponsored by the California Pork Producers Association, the eight-day Baconpalooza brings together some of the best, most creative chefs in the region with competitions and special bacon-themed menus at many of our favorite Sacramento restaurants. Below is a list of planned events including the Second Annual Bacon Fest Sacramento Chef’s Competition that’s sure to sell out, so click here to buy your tickets.
Oink, oink!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20
Opening Night Party
Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co.
1630 S Street
5 p.m. No cover
Special guest chefs join Chef Brian Mizner in creating a special Bacon Fest menu.
MONDAY, JANUARY 21
Formoli’s Bistro
3839 J Street
Chef Aimal Formoli prepares a special Bacon Fest prix fixe meal. Call for price and reservation, (916) 448-5699.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22
Secret event! Follow @sacbaconfest on Twitter for details.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23
LowBrau
K and 20th Streets
6 p.m. to close
LowBrau does the bacon and sausages, the Sacramento Bartenders Guild does the special Bacon Fest cocktails and bourbon.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Enotria Restaurant and Wine Bar
1431 Del Paso Boulevard
Chef Pajo Bruich prepares a special Bacon Fest prix fixe meal. Call for price and reservations, (916) 922-6792.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
Second Annual Kevin Bacon Tribute Night w/ Guest Chef Michael Thiemann
Old Ironsides
1901 10th Street
8 p.m., $5
Local bands play songs from Kevin Bacon films (to the “first degree”).Chef Mike from Ella Dining Room & Bar takes over the Old I kitchen with special Bacon Fest eats.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
Magpie Cafe
1409 R Street
8 a.m.
2nd annual Bacon Fest Breakfast at Magpie.
Shady Lady Saloon
1409 R Street
8 a.m.
Bacon Fest Breakfast and Bloody Marys.
Selland’s Market
5340 H Street
1 p.m.
Randall Selland prepares his special Bacon Fest paella.
Pangaea Two Brews Cafe’s Beer vs. Bacon
2743 Franklin Boulevard
5 p.m.
Special Bacon Fest menu, plus bacon and beer and the return of the famous “Bacon Suicide IPA.”
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
Second Annual Bacon Fest Sacramento Chef’s Competition
Mulvaney’s B&L’s / Pig on the Corner
19th and L Streets
2 p.m., $35 (tickets on sale here)
Nearly a dozen local chefs create dishes and compete for Critics and Audience awards. Admission includes samples from each chef, appetizers and two drink tickets. Proceeds will be donated to The Center for Land Based Learning and the American River College culinary program.
The Golden Bear
2326 K Street
9 a.m.
2nd annual Bacon Fest Breakfast.
Bacon & Butter
1119 21st Street
9 a.m.
Bacon Fest Breakfast.
HAPPY HOURS
Small plates and drink specials Monday through Friday, January 21-25 at:
Bows & Arrows, 1815 19th Street
Ella Dining Room & Bar, 1131 K Street
Grange Restaurant, 926 J Street
Lucca Restaurant and Bar, 1615 J Street
Pangaea Two Brews Cafe (with guest chef Jason Azevedo of Testa Duro Salumi), 2743 Franklin Boulevard
Restaurant Thir13en, 1300 H Street
Ten22, 1022 Second Street
BACON FEST COLORING CONTEST + BACON DONUTS
January 21-27
Doughbot
2226 10th Street
Have your kids enter the Bacon Fest coloring contest to win free donuts!
ADDITIONAL RESTAURANTS WITH BACON FEST SPECIALS INCLUDE:
Boulevard Bistro, 8941 Elk Grove Boulevard (Elk Grove)
The Eatery, 2155 Town Center Plaza (West Sacramento)
Gold Rush Grill, 1500 11th Street
Hot Italian, 1627 16th Street
Masullo, 2711 Riverside Boulevard
State Bear Sausage and Dogs, 8th and O Streets
The Waterboy, 2000 Capitol Avenue
For more information visit, http://baconfestsac.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/SacramentoBaconFest?__req=60
Wordless Wednesday: Decadent Brunch
I recently discovered this recipe for Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups on Pinterest and couldn’t help but make them for a brunch party. Needless to say, they’re a real crowd-pleaser!