The (Heritage Breed) Pig’s Out of the Bag at Cochon555 Atlanta June 25

Catch the tail end of Cochon555 Atlanta? No way. We’re in for the entire nose-to-tail competition at this epic heritage breed pig party! Part of the 2017 Cochon555 Culinary Tour, this oinker on Sunday, June 25 boasts five chefs, five winemakers, five heritage breeds and a hefty amount of food and beverages from 4-7:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. Couchon555 is dedicated to supporting family farmers and educating chefs and diners about the importance of Old World livestock. Look for chef and owner Doug Turbush of Seed Kitchen & Bar who will be participating in the Tartare Bar at the Atlanta event, which includes 1,500 pounds of heritage pig, chef-crafted tastings, a “Somm Smackdown,” 40-plus types of boutique wines, craft cocktails and artisanal brews. Start salivating by peeking at the Atlanta “Eat & Drink” lineup. Buy all-inclusive tickets online (service fee applies); 5 p.m. general admission entry, $125 per person; 4 p.m. VIP early admission with exclusive sommelier and cocktail competition tastings, $200 per person. Squealing because you can’t attend? You can still make a donation to the Piggy Bank charity.

5 Chefs + 5 Pigs + 5 Winemakers = Cochon 555 -- Coming Home to Atlanta February 17

Brady Lowe began Cochon 555 five years ago right here in Atlanta to promote sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs. Stopping in 10 cities across the United States, the culinary competition and tasting event is returning home to Atlanta with a stop at the Sheraton Atlanta Downtown on Sunday, February 17. Joe Schafer of King + Duke is one of the five chefs preparing a snout-to-tail menu using one of five pigs in the pork-centric competition. The lineup of 20 event judges includes Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist, Drew Van Leuven of Seven Lamps and Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina. Guests and judges will determine the “best bite of the day” and send the winner on to the June 16 Grand Cochon competition at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colo. Seven Lamps Mixologist Arianne Fielder will compete against five other mixologists in the new “Punch Kings” cocktail competition open to VIP guests. All guests will pig out on pork and sample five bourbons in addition to the wines from five family wineries. And there’s more action in the pen: a butcher demonstration from Rusty Bowers of Pine Street Market, a raffle, ice-cold brews and a champagne toast, Fernet Branca digestifs and pork-spiked desserts. VIP ($200/person) admitted at 4 p.m.; general admission ($125/person) at 5 p.m. Purchase tickets online.

“SOME PIG” leads our Hog Haiku poet winner to “SOME PORK”

Thanks to everyone who pulled on their thinking caps for our Hog Haiku contest for a chance to win Cochon 555 Atlanta tickets! Now one lucky poet will have a chance to take off the thinking cap and put on the bib for the delectable event this Sunday. Drum roll please… our lucky winner is whodigsben with this “terrific” entry!

As a kid, I learned
that Wilbur was terrific.
But he's tasty too!

Get ready for the smorgasbord, whodigsben! Email us at atlantadish@gmail.com to claim your big prize!
We couldn’t let the runner-up slip past without a single oink, so we have to give props to AtlantaDude for this entry:

Tigger, Piglet, Pooh
Closest Friends Til Hunger Strikes
Piglet on the Spit

AtlantaDude, shoot us an email and we will mail you your very own Atlanta Dish t-shirt!

Lucky Atlanta Dish Winner Could Pig Out With The Best at Cochon 555 Atlanta

There are some things that are innate to being a Southerner. Drinking sweet tea, calling every soda a “Coke”, complaining about pollen and of course, our passion for our tasty friend, Mr. Pig.

Come celebrate your love at Cochon 555 Atlanta this Sunday as a talented group of chefs will prepare 140 pounds of heritage breed hog for guests and professional judges to savor and pronounce the best dishes based on presentation, utilization and best flavor! Five winemakers will also be selected to showcase their wines at the event.

Drooling yet? Grab some paper and get your brain churning, because Atlanta Dish has a PAIR of tickets to give away! Leave us your best Hog Haiku in the comments below and we will select a lucky winner to live on the high hog this Sunday.  Winners will be selected on Wednesday, so better hurry and start channeling your inner Haiku Master!

(If you skipped that day in school, refresh your brain on haikus here!)