This Little Piggy Went to Cochon 555

 Beloved Foodbuzz gifted me tickets to Cochon 555. Probably haven’t heard of this event unless you are a serious farmer, foodie, chef or wine connoisseur. Cochon 555 (French for pig) is a culinary competition to raise awareness for heritage pigs and the 555 comes from 5 top chefs, 5 winemakers and 5 pigs make this event, where each chef creates a tasting menu using, wait for it . . . the whole pig. This event spams 10 metropolitan cities and in the end, one chef is marked the Chochon winner.

 Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon

Naomi Pomeroy, Beast

Andy Ricker, Pok Pok

Chathy Whims, Nostrana

Jason Barwikowski, Olympic Provisions

If you are vegetarian, stop reading now and DO NOT SCROLL DOWN! I’m about to show you a picture of a skinned pig head. I’m a carnivore and this was even a lot for me. So before I understood this event in the slightest, I thought some meat heads had gotten together to eat a lot pork. However, after some research, I saw that these foodies are actually saving the world and heritage pigs (pigs that have bloodlines that go back hundreds of years; we’re talking 1700-1800’s) from becoming extinct, due to commercial farmers and a loss of demand. These breeds have distinct flavors that you simply cannot find in commercial hogs.

Local chefs and restaurants are bringing heritage pigs back and tonight I had a sampling from Portland’s finest culinary geniuses.

my favorite: coppa di testa, polenta, grana padano
Olympic Provisions

                            larb, Pok Pok

                                          pulled pork and coleslaw
                                          Le Pigeon 

Taste of the Nation: Heaven on Earth

As part of the Foodbuzz Foodie Correspondent Program, I was able to attend a fabulous event: Taste of the Nation. A night of the most delicious tastings around town. Wine. Beer. Cocktails. Desserts. Tonight I may have actually died and gone to heaven--I just wish I could have brought all my friends.

My favorites from Taste of the Nation

Garden State
Crostini with Confit of Pork Shoulder, Giardiniera Relish and Arugula

Vindalho
Lamb Kofta with Tomato Yogurt Curry

Nel Centro
Home Made Cracker with Fresh Ricotta and Peperonata

Urban Farmer
Cheese Steak Sandwich with Oregon raised, grass-fed beef
(the sliced beef is then fried into patties)

Seres
Tofu Salad Rolls

Seres
Crispy Prawns with Honeyed Walnuts

Accanto
Panini Misti

Ruth's Chris Steak House
Seared Midwestern Beef

Celilo
House Smoked Salmon on Lavash Cracker

Cheese Bar
Raclette

Bamboo Sushi
Albacore Carpaccio

Ruby Jewel
Cinnamon Ice Cream Sandwiches

Screen Door
Banana Toffee Pies