The pigs are here! It is time for the Seattle leg of the Cochon 555 competition, one of the culinary world’s most innovative, porky, and tasty showdowns. Five local chefs, five heritage-breed pigs and five local wineries… sounds like a match made in heaven, right? This year’s competitors are a great sampling of local talent: John Sundstrom of Lark, Holly Smith of Cafe Juanita, Rachel Yang of Jewel and Revel, Jason Stratton of Spinasse and Ethan Stowell of Staple & Fancy Mercantile/Ethan Stowell Restaurants. On February 20th, they will each prepare a 175 pound pig using everything from nose to tail. Guests will get the opportunity to taste their delicious porcine creations and the participating winemakers’ wares and help the judges choose the Prince or Princess of Porc to go on to Grand Cochon at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado. There they will compete against the winners from the nine other Cochon 555 events held in cities across the US to be crowned King or Queen of Porc! Guests will also get a chance to watch two butchers face off in a competition of skill and speed, take in a whole pig breakdown demo and sample lots of tasty treats.

Seattle Cochon555 takes place on February 20th at The Westin Seattle. Tickets and more information are available online.

It’s gonna be Porkalicious!! -Kathy