And the BaconFest winners are …
Last weekend proved once again that bacon can draw a crowd.
More than 15,000 people showed up for BaconFest at Fraze Pavilion in Kettering last Saturday to celebrate the magic of bacon, said Amy Zahora, executive director of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association.
With more than a dozen restaurants on hand, there were plenty of bacon inspired and infused dishes to choose from.
For the judges, the standout dishes came from Amber Rose, which won best use of bacon, critic’s choice and best composed dish.
Winners in each category were:
People’s Choice Award: Dewberry 1850
1414 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton
937-223-1000 or http:// dewberry1850.com
Best use of bacon: Amber Rose’s Thai BBQ baconwrapped pork wings
Critic’s Choice: Amber Rose’s white cheddar apple wood smoked bacon mac and cheese
Best Composed Dish: Amber Rose’s jalapeno bacon carnitas nachos
1400 Valley St., Dayton 937-228-2511 or www. theamberrose.com
Most creative use of bacon: Archer’s baconwrapped peanut butter and jelly hot dogs
2030 E. Dorothy Lane, Kettering, and 9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike, Centerville
937-291-1015 (Kettering), 937-401-1015 (Centerville) or archerstavern.com/
Best dessert: Duck Donuts Maple Glazed Bacon Donut 1200 Brown St., Dayton 937-951-2618 or duckdonuts.com
“People love bacon,” said Zahora. “Some items have been so popular from the festival, restaurants have decided to add to their menus.”
Other standout dishes included corn on the cobb with bacon garlic butter from Basil’s on Market, a bacon poundcake from Dewberry 1850, a salmon BLT taco with smoked bacon aioli from The Dock in Enon, bacon churros from El Meson, bacon stuffed garlic toast grilled cheese from 1776 Grill and a strawberry bacon dream cake from Sweet-Umms Chocolatier. Not surprisingly, the bacon pizza from Marion’s Piazza and bacon sundaes from Ritter’s Frozen Custard were also hugely satisfying. It was a great day for celebrating everyone’s favorite fatty pork product.