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"Now in its 11th year (April 5–6, 2019), this well-organized annual food event brings together several of Chicago’s top restaurants to serve thousands of visitors unique, bacon-focused dishes and fosters friendly competition among chefs. For 2019 organizers added new programming, including a VIP pop-up on Friday featuring internet-famous chef Michael Satinover (aka “Ramen_Lord”), who will prepare 100–200 bowls of a decadent bacon-infused ramen: a tonkotsu broth enriched with bacon fat, melty sous-vide bacon that replaces chashu for a caramelized texture, and a smoky cured base from Nueske’s applewood-smoked bacon, served with noodles from Sun Noodles. The VIP-only offering (a key draw at the $130 VIP ticket level) and other new events are intended to add flair and incentive while the overall festival continues to generate buzz around its creative bacon-centric offerings." - Ashok Selvam