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In recent years, bacon has enjoyed something of a second act, thanks to restaurants and premium food markets that showcase the way it's really supposed to look and taste.
Now comes Baconfest, a three-day event that celebrates the greatness of bacon and has a little fun along the way.
The event is the brainchild of Brian Guido, who works at the California State Archives filming historical documents for preservation and security. Guido was aware of Baconfest events in Chicago and Des Moines, and he wanted to do something like that in Sacramento.
"It all started with a wild idea, a love for bacon and the desire to fill the void that a town like this has for events," Guido said.
Guido collaborated with Nick Miller, an editor at the Sacramento News & Review, and the two came up with the makings of an excellent line-up concerning all things bacon.
Is bacon better these days? Well, you can certainly find excellent bacon with a little effort, and you no longer have to rely on that halfhearted commodity stuff that peels away from the packaging like wet tissue. The best bacon I have found - thick, meaty and full of flavor -- comes from Taylor's Market. Corti Brothers and the Sacramento Natural Food Co-op. More and more restaurants feature excellent bacon, too. Most noteworthy is Mulvaney's. I just had great bacon on the hamburger at The Eatery in West Sacramento. Guido recommends a place out in the town of Jackson called Swingle Meat Co. (www.swinglemeat.com), whose bacon offerings include honey-cured, maple, pepper, apple cinnamon, country style, beef, and Canadian, which is not known as Canadian bacon in Canada (they call it back bacon, or at least we did growing up in Ottawa).
"Some people may think it's a fad. I just think promoting quality bacon is a good thing," Guido said.
Those who are enthusiastic about bacon and supporting folks in town doing food the right way are encouraged to support this fun and delicious event. Just imagine all those aromas wafting through the air.
Here's the line-up:
Fri. Jan. 20
8 p.m., open to all ages: Kevin Bacon Tribute Night - Luigi's Slice Fungarden (1050 20th St., Sacramento)
*Features a special bacon supreme pizza, live music from Jem & Scout, Aaron King, the Foxtails John Conley, 50-Watt Heavy and others performing songs from Kevin Bacon movies.
Sat. Jan. 21
7:30 a.m., Baconfest breakfast presented by Magpie Café, 1409 R St., Sacramento.
4 p.m. to close, Bacon-in Beers and special bacon bar menu presented by Pangaea Two Brews Café, 2743 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento
Sun. Jan. 22
10 a.m. Baconfest brunch at The Golden Bear, 2326 K St., Sacramento
1-5 p.m. First-ever Baconfest Sacramento local chefs competition, at Mulvaney's B&L Pig Next Door (L and 19th streets) featuring celebrity judges, bacon small plates served, along with beer and wine. Admission: $20.
For more information, go to Facebook.com/sacramentobaconfest and on Twitter @SacramentoBaconfest
Chefs and restaurateurs interested in getting in on the action are encouraged to cook up a special Baconfest menu. Baconfest promises to promote it. To connect with organizers, send an email to sacbaconfest@gmail.com
Kudos to Guido and Miller for getting this event up and running.
Blair Anthony Robertson is The Bee's restaurant critic. Follow him on Twitter @Blarob.
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