Taste of DC was held over the weekend – Saturday & Sunday – right on Pennsylvania Ave. Once the rain stopped threatening the fun on Saturday, event goers had access to some of DC’s best food trucks, and restaurants all while listening to live music. Free samples galore (did you check out what British Airways was serving?!), there was no shortage of food, drink, and entertainment. However there was one event we anticipated above all others. Sure, there was the Ben’s Chili Bowl World Chili Eating Championship (sorry – we haven’t jumped on that gravy train yet), and Cochon 555’s Punch Kings competition, but what we were most looking forward to was Cochon555’s Heritage BBQ Tour presented by Goose Island Beer Co.
Perhaps you attended the previous Cochon555 event at Union Market last March. If you did, you already know what you missed out on, and we totally accept a *headdesk* as a valid response to your non-attendance. If you haven’t been to a Cochon555 event yet… shame on you.
“…Heritage BBQ by Cochon 555, is the first national BBQ competition dedicated to supporting a new direction for heritage breed pigs by expanding the conversation to a global economy. Created by Cochon 555 Founder Brady Lowe, Heritage BBQ engages existing BBQ restaurants in the local and sustainable food conversation taking place nationwide while simultaneously breaking ground on a new hyper-local, globally-themed, farm-supporting BBQ.” ~ Cochon 555
This is where it gets good. Each competitor is given a 200lb heritage pig and is tasked with making six different dishes. This year’s chef competitors included Scott Drewno of The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto, Joe Palma of Bourbon Steak, George Pagonis of Kapnos and Kyle Bailey of Birch & Barley. In addition to the chef competition, Heritage BBQ also welcomed six additional chefs to participate in Cochon 555’s new “BBQ Traditions” series – each chef preparing one dish from their favorite global BBQ culture. Participating chefs included Jeffrey Buben of Vidalia, Benjamin Nola and Alec Bradford of Leaping Waters Farm, Zack Mills of Wit & Wisdom, Haidar Korum of Doi Moi, Ed Witt of The Partisan and Craig Hartman of Barbeque Exchange.
Cooking up everything from whole pig pork and beans, to pork blood red velvet cupcakes, and spicy Thai sausages – a total of 36 dishes were served during the event. That’s a LOT of pork. Scott Drewno, a two-time Cochon 555 winner, walked away with the much deserved first place title.
Tickets for Cochon 555 events aren’t exactly cheap (we’re talking $100 for general admission and $200 for VIP), but they certainly make sure you get your money’s worth. The three-hour long event also offered samplings of Rappahannock River Oysters, cheeses, charcuterie, unlimited craft beer from Goose Island Beer Co. (we always love their Sofia and Maltida beers), Mezcal tasting, hand crafted cocktails from Four Roses, Anakota wines, flights of four bourbon punches found right near the entrance to the event, and one of our favorites (as you can see below) the Bourbon Bar mixing up five different “Best Manhattans” featuring Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, Breckenridge Bourbon, Templeton Rye, and Four Roses, all with Luxardo cherries.
We’re already anticipating the next time Cochon 555 tours through the District. We love the sense of community their events bring, while creatively touting the flavor and benefits of eating heritage breed pigs from their rich and hearty taste of their meat to supporting local farmers.

- Passport 2-for-1 Drink Program Comes to DC + Launch Party May 20 - May 11, 2015
- In The Kitchen With Grand Trunk: Savor 1,600 miles of South Asian Cuisine in 1 Quick Serve Menu - April 30, 2015
- Products With A Purpose: 5 Food-Related Earth Friendly Products For Conscientious Consumers - April 6, 2015
- Art Institute of Washington Introduces GETCreative Courses for Teens & Adults + Goat Cheese Ice Cream Recipe - March 12, 2015
- Union Market to Host Cochon 555 Heritage Pig Culinary Competition March 22, 2015 - March 9, 2015
- W Hotel DC’s New Root Cellar Whiskey Bar Offers Happy Hour 5-8pm Monday through Friday - February 12, 2015
- IMUSA Chinese New Year Steamed Veggies & Pineapple Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe - February 2, 2015
- Curried Stone Crab Risotto Recipe: Sponsored by RSVP International - February 2, 2015
- In The Kitchen With Medium Rare: The Best Brunch Deal In The District - January 28, 2015
- Waterfront Station Hosts First SOUP-er Bowl Competition & Taste-off January 24 - January 21, 2015
Ok, can I just say, I love coming to your site and seeing the events you go to? So amazing and they all look like such fun!
Aww thank you! We have a great time and meet so many incredible people. We love what we do! (Although my waistline probably begs to differ.)
What a fun time! I would love to attend a BBQ tour type event! We need more of that up here on Cape Cod-there is no good BBQ 🙁
Looks like a great time. We just attended a BBQ cook off. So much great food but also great conversations with so many wonderful new friends.
And a great time was had by all!
Looks like you guys had an amazing time…the food looks amazing as well.
I like to pretend I make a mean bbq but that’s questionable.
This sounds like a really interesting event, and well worth the money. I didn’t know chefs could get so creative with pig!
Love teh BBQ tour. It is always amazing to see how many different BBQs you can try.
This food looks way too delicious! I am not even sure which plate I’d like to sample first!!
I wish I would have known about this. I would have attended.
It would be so fun to have a BBQ tour!
The food looks amazing. I will take one of everything!
This sounds like a fantastic event. I love bbq!
This looks like such a fun time! I love spending the day at events like this! FUN!!!
I am so jealous! It appears that the Taste of DC was amazing!
This sounds like a delicious event. What could be better than good food in New York!
You had me at BBQ! I so miss what I used to have in Texas. There are only a handful of good places here. Le sigh.
I have always wanted to do one of these taste of the city tours.
Now this is something I would have loved to go to! We have great things like this here in Vegas too! always fun, yummy and worth every penny!
Looks like such a fun event! Foodie events are always my fav!
This sounds like it would have been a wonderful time. Would have loved to have been there 🙂
You always have the best food info on your site! This sounds fantastic!