2015 Schedule of Events

Friday, July 17th | VIP Kick-Off Dinner at Buttonwood Winery

From Cherry Braised Pork Belly by Maegan Loring (2013), to Crispy Head and Fried Trotters with Jake Francis of Industrial Eats (2104); the Bacon & Barrels Kick-Off Dinner is a sell-out favorite each and every year! Each year, we challenge the best Chefs to create an inventive 5 Course Wine Paired Dinner utilizing pork in all its forms. What comes of that challenge is one of the most memorable meals you'll have. 

Check In begins at 5:30PM. Appetizers will be served shortly after Check In. You can also tour the barrel room and take in the lovely view of Buttonwood lake. The first course will be served at 6:30PM. 

The Location. This year's dinner takes us to Buttonwood Farm Winery's Barrel Room; where you'll eat among the vines, enjoy appetizers on their private lake, and tour the Barrel Room housing their award winning wines! 

The Time. Check In begins at 5:30PM. Appetizers will be served shortly after Check In. You can also tour the barrel room and take in the lovely view of Buttonwood lake. The first course will be served at 6:30PM.

The Chef. Known for pushing the boundaries of pork in culinary feats of greatness, it is with great excitement that we announce Chef Budi Kazali of The Ballard Inn & Restaurant as our Chef this year. 

Extremely limited, due to sheer amazingness. Get your seat by purchasing a VIP Weekend Ticket, or purchasing ala carte. 

Saturday, July 18th | Grand Tasting

12:00 Gates open for Early Admission and VIP Ticket Holders

1:00 Gates open for Designated Piggies, and General Admission Ticket Holders

1:00 INFO BOOTH: People's Choice Voting begins 

1:30-2:00 Culinary Lounge: Live Demo with Chef Matt Pearce of Old San Luis BBQ, featuring his Candied Bacon Tri-tip slider

2:00 Moonshiner Collective takes the main stage

2:15-2:45  Culinary Lounge: Live Mixology Demo with Mason Frakes of Rooney's Irish Pub, featuring their smoked maple and orange, bacon infused Irish Old Fashioned

3:00-3:30 Culinary Lounge: Live Demo with Chef Vanessa Craig (1st runner-up Food Network's All-Star Academy), featuring her Pork Belly Three Ways, paired with Chutney's on toast.  

3:45-4:15 Culinary Lounge: Live Mixology Demo with Josh Christensen of Sidecar, featuring a lesson in "fat washing": the process of infusing booze with any kind of fatty flavors (like bacon and butterscotch bourbon)

4:00 INFO BOOTH: People's Choice Voting Ends

4:30 MAIN STAGE: People's Choice & Jefe De Porko Winner Announced on Main Stage

5:00 Festival Closes, Bacon coma commences

Sunday Funday VIP All-Bacon Inspired Brunch 

Chef Jake O. Francis

Liquid Farm

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

{ Sweet }

Buttonwood Farms Fruit Salad

Cantalope, Honeydew, Peaches, Blueberries

Honey, Mint, Lime, Cinnamon

Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

{ Savory }

Rustic Egg Frittata

Smoked Pork Shoulder, Buttonwood Farms Tomatoes, 

Country Bread, Spinach, Cheddar

Bacon Breakfast Sausages

Ground Pork and Bacon, Sage, Black Pepper, Maple Syrup

Collards, Kale, Mustard Greens, Smoked Ham Hocks, Chili Flake

 Sweet Pepper, Chive, Bacon Fat, and served with Hot Pepper Jelly

Braised Brassica Greens

Buttermilk Cornbread