CONGRATS TO JANINE.
Fire. Knives. Raw Meat. Booze. Unfiltered Chefs.
Need we really say a whole lot more about Heritage Fire Napa Valley, happening Sunday, August , 2, 2015 at Krug Winery in St. Helena.
Oh, and two free VIP tickets for one lucky BiteClub winner.
The antithesis of snoozy jazz and hors d’ouvres events, this chest-beating, smack-talking afternoon from the Cochon 555 folks is a window into the world of producers, farmers, chefs and butchers who love them some big old cuts of meat.
On the agenda: Cooking 3,000 pounds of heritage breed animals (from pork and beef to rabbit, goat and other critters); drinking a whole lot of wine and craft beer; butchery demonstrations and animal “theater” cooking; music and lawn games; and eating more meat than is probably sane.
What we love is the fun and frivolity of the event, that lets everyone mingle around the flames, sniffing the delightful scent of cooking meat and sampling whatever the chefs have come up with — rather than what they’ve been asked to make. Let’s just say at Heritage Fire, they’re cooking to impress each other, and you get the happy job of being a bystander.
Did we mention VIP’s get an hour of access before the hoi polloi? That means even more yum for your buck.
Top Picks: I’ll be heading directly for Del Dotto’s Tony Incontro, who is a wunderkind of charcuterie and huge fan of the coveted wooly Mangalitsa; rabbit producer Eric Alegria (Old World Rabbitry), and John Stewart and Duskie Estes of Zazu, the once and always King and Queen of Porc.
Other chefs include: Justin Yu (Oxheart), Kyle Bailey (Birch & Barley), Mark Ladner (Del Posto), Justin Brunson (Old Major), Mike Kahikina (Barrel & Ashes), Adam Sobel (RN74), Jose Mendin (Pubbelly), Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia), Kim Wiss (Antica Napa Valley), Cristiano Creminelli (Creminelli), Peter Jacobsen (Jacobsen Orchards), Greg Laketek (West Loop Salumi), John Manion (La Sirena Clandestina), Jeremy Waybright (Boss Shepherd’s), Matthew Accarrino (SPQR), Michael Thiemann (Mother – Empress Tavern), Jason Kupper (Heritage Eats), David Bazirgan (Dirty Habit), David Katz (Panevino/Sub Rosa Salumi), Dennis Lee (Smokestack/Namu Ganji), Robin Song (Hog & Rocks), Marc Zimmerman (Alexander’s Steakhouse), James Winberg, Mike Brown, & Bob Gerken (Travail Kitchen & Amusements), Chris Marchino (Cotagna), Alex Lovick (Inglenook), Blaise Bisbey (Calistoga Kitchen), Joey Elenterio (Cadence), Tiffany Friedman (Butter Root), Trevor Kunk (Press), Omri Afalo (Wayfare Tavern), Rogelio Garcia (Angele), Anthony “Nash” Cognetti (Tra Vigne), Dave the Butcher (Marina Meats), Brandon Sharp (Solbar), Joshua Whigham of DC, Brad Farmerie (The Thomas), Timon Balloo (Bocce / Sugarcane) and John Sundstrom (The Lark).
Tickets for the event are available online, $105 for General Admission, $165 for VIP.
To win, tell me about the best meat dish you’ve ever eaten in the comments below.
Make me salivate. Make me believe that you’re the meat fanatic who really wants these tickets.
The more unique, the better, and bonus consideration if it is something from Sonoma County.
I’ll choose my winner on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 5p.m.
You must respond by Friday, July 31 at noon, and be able to attend the event on Sunday, August 2 at 3p.m. Must be 21 to enter.