Here's What You Missed at Baconfest Chicago 2016

Baconfest Chicago finished its eighth year feeding over 4,500 people as 150 of Chicago's chefs joined together for a weekend festival at UIC Forum for three sessions of bacon-inspired cocktails, craft beer and unlimited bacon treats. We were there to check out all the porky goodness, here's what we saw!

"We are really honored to be a part of Chicago's foodie scene and have seen first hand how it has grown... " - Seth Zurer, co-founder of Baconfest Chicago

baconfest 2016 0009 IMG 3055 — Bacon and Bourbon Baklava from Sheekar Delights

As part of each session, participating chefs competed for the Golden Rasher Award, an award to celebrate special achievement in the bacon arts. A panel of judges gave awards for "Most Creative Use of Bacon" and "Best Front of House Presentation."

baconfest 2016 0008 IMG 3073 — Bacon Bourguigon from Trouquet River North

The winners of each award are as follows:

Most Creative Use of Bacon:

Saturday Lunch:Honey Butter Fried Chicken - Joshua Kulp & Christine Cikowski, Bacon Chicken and Grits

Saturday Dinner: Osteria Langhe - Cameron Grant Bacon Plin - With smoky dijon serrano jus

Sunday Brunch: Mercat a la Planxa

baconfest 2016 0000 IMG 3124 — Bacon Chicken and Grits from Honey Butter Fried Chicken

Best Front of House Presentation:

Saturday Lunch: Mity Nice Bar & Grill - John Chiakulas, Pigskin Wings

Saturday Dinner: GingerSnap Sweets & Such - Jen Templeton Bacon Opera Cake and The Bad Apple - Craig Fass Baconthology - The smokey and tasty history of bacon

Sunday Brunch: Italian Village and Pork & Mindy's

baconfest 2016 0002 IMG 3110 — Bacon Cinnamon Rolls from West Town Bakery

Baconfest Chicago also presented $50,000 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an organization that makes sure no one goes hungry in the Second City.

baconfest 2016 0007 IMG 3079 — Bacon cocktail from Lockwood Restaurant and Bar

"We now have the best chefs in the city participating, chefs that are Michelin-Star recipients, James Beard nominees, on the 2016 Bib Gourmand List all creating delectable bacon dishes." - Seth Zurer