Cochon 555

The pig is such a marvelous, versatile creature. It’s a natural garbage disposal. It’s cute. It’s smart. It’s delicious (so fucking delicious).

Growing up in the sparsely populated Southwest, on high desert land irrigated into lush clover fields by the Colorado River, my experience with pigs began early. I remember one fateful afternoon, at a summer day camp I attended, when counselors decided it would be cute if the kids dressed the farm animals for a fashion show. I will never attempt to put pantyhose on a pig ever again.

But I will eat them. I will eat them all up.

This Sunday is National Pig Day. To celebrate the illustrious animal, the Taste Network (an “experiential” food company out of Georgia) is throwing its Cochon 555 pig cook-off at 6 pm in the Ecotrust building . The event is a friendly competition between five local chefs who are each given an heirloom pig—from Carlton or Sweet Briar Farms—to cook how they see fit. Cochon 555 has toured the country and the Portland competitors are folks who really know how to dress-up swine (sans pantyhose): Vitaly Paley (Paley’s Place), John Gorham (Toro Bravo), Gabriel Rucker (Le Pigeon), Alex Bourgidu (Porta Restaurant), and Tommy Habetz (Bunk Sandwiches). Also on hand will be five wineries offering their wares.

It should be a great time. I have a feeling the competition will be fierce, and I certainly expect a good amount of offal.

So, if you happen to have an extra $125 lying around… Put it in your savings account, unless you are a die-hard foodie or crazy for pork. In that case, $125 is probably a good deal—considering that dining at each of these chef’s establishments over the course of an evening would cause considerable bloat, and cost way more than $125. Tickets on sale here.

And if you’re not into eating an animal on its special day, you can always go to Lighthouse Rescue Farm and celebrate the living-breathing pig in a more hospitable habitat. Just sayin’.