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.
