Announcing SF's 2013 Cochon 555 Competitors

The crowd at last year's Cochon 555 checks out a butchery demo. [Photo: Jonathan Fong/Gamma Nine Photography]

The folks behind Cochon 555 gave us an update on the chefs who'll be a part of this year's fifth-anniversary pork extravaganza, which touches down in SF at the Four Seasons on Sunday, April 14. The five culinary gurus competing for pork glory this time around? Omri Aflalo (Bourbon Steak), Mark Richardson (Four Seasons), Adam Sobel (RN74), Chris Thompson (A16), and Scott Youkilis (Hog & Rocks/Maverick/Hi-Lo BBQ). As an added bonus, Dennis Lee (Namu Gaji) and friends will be on hand to preview BBQ-centric fare from Lee's menu for the forthcoming Magnolia location in the Dogpatch, paired with special Magnolia brews. The winning chef is crowned "Prince of Porc" and gets to compete in the nationwide Grand Cochon event at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen in June; Thomas McNaughton and the Salumeria team took home the prize last year.

As in previous years, Cochon 555 centers around nose-to-tail fare made from heritage breed pigs, paired with wines from small, family-owned vintners like Sandhi Wines, Greg Linn Turley Wine Cellars, Scholium Project, Elk Cove Vineyards, Wind Gap Wines, Buty Winery, Robert Kacher Selections, Paul Mathews Vineyards, Matthiasson, and Chehalem Wines. Not enough booze for your taste? This year's event will also feature a "Perfect Manhattan" bar with whiskey from Breckenridge Bourbon, Hudson Whiskey, Eagle Rare, High West, Buffalo Trace, and Four Roses, as well as a mezcal and chupito bar and brews from Anchor.

Other event offerings include a raw bar, a craft cheese bar with hand-selected offerings from Mission Cheese, a butchery demonstration from 4505 Meats, and an after-party with pork-spiked desserts and plenty of Fernet, because of all the things listed above. Tickets are $125 for general admission and $200 for VIPs, which includes early access and perks like a cocktail competition, a "tartare bar," and special wines and spirits not available on the main floor.

· Cochon 555 San Francisco [Official website]
· Salumeria Trots Off With 2012 Cochon 555 Pig Award [~ ESF ~]