5 Chefs + 5 Pigs + 5 Winemakers = Cochon 555 -- Coming Home to Atlanta February 17

Brady Lowe began Cochon 555 five years ago right here in Atlanta to promote sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs. Stopping in 10 cities across the United States, the culinary competition and tasting event is returning home to Atlanta with a stop at the Sheraton Atlanta Downtown on Sunday, February 17. Joe Schafer of King + Duke is one of the five chefs preparing a snout-to-tail menu using one of five pigs in the pork-centric competition. The lineup of 20 event judges includes Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist, Drew Van Leuven of Seven Lamps and Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina. Guests and judges will determine the “best bite of the day” and send the winner on to the June 16 Grand Cochon competition at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colo. Seven Lamps Mixologist Arianne Fielder will compete against five other mixologists in the new “Punch Kings” cocktail competition open to VIP guests. All guests will pig out on pork and sample five bourbons in addition to the wines from five family wineries. And there’s more action in the pen: a butcher demonstration from Rusty Bowers of Pine Street Market, a raffle, ice-cold brews and a champagne toast, Fernet Branca digestifs and pork-spiked desserts. VIP ($200/person) admitted at 4 p.m.; general admission ($125/person) at 5 p.m. Purchase tickets online.