Bacon is a little-known standout in the culinary-cultural menu in the Gorge. In evidence: Apple Valley BBQ (Parkdale) came in the Top Ten in the World Bacon Championship last November.
Apple Valley BBQ landed a spot in the finals by showing off its porcine talents with their 50/50 bacon and burger slider on a homemade bacon-infused bun and topped with Boursin cheese and red onion bacon jam made with their signature peach habanero pepper jelly.
Two days later in the finals, they had to create a dumpling dish, and they did so in pure Gorge style — using pears, hazelnuts, bacon, and mascarpone cheese — all locally sourced from Parkdale.
And then they finished off in a solid sixth place overall with their rendition of an American Red Snapper seared in bacon fat, collard greens with pork belly on a roasted garlic bacon potato hash cake.
What made them think they were world class material? Aporkalypse Now! The Gorge’s Best Bacon Festival — and the official regional qualifier for the World Bacon Festival. Last year, Apple Valley BBQ, along with numerous other restaurants vied for Aporkalypse’s coveted Judges’ Award, and won a golden ticket to the World’s in Kissimmee, Florida.
Whether you are a restaurant which knows how to cook bacon, or simply a person who would snort the stuff if you could, the third annual Aporkalypse Now!, 6-9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29 at Springhouse Cellar in Hood River, is going to be the place to be.
Of the events many merits, you can find comfort in pigging out because 100 percent of the proceeds from the event go to Helping Hands Against Violence, a local non-profit which support survivors of abuse.
Tickets are online at www. helpinghandsoregon.org or at the door for $20. Space is limited.
It’s an evening of bringing together those who can cook with bacon and those who go hog wild over the salty savory.
Restaurants vie for the coveted Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships, while participants rate their favorites, join in a bacon eating contest, illuminate the audience with their porcine poetry, and try to win the audiences approval in the Kevin Bacon look-alike contest.
Restaurants get fame and bragging rights (including a chance to go to the World Food Championships), and pounds of good karma.
Attendees get sizzling hot and salty fun in the Gorge in January, and a chance to beat last year’s bacon eating contest winner.
