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The annual pig-loving food event known as Cochon 555 returns to the 3-0-5 this Sunday, April 3 at the Ritz Carlton South Beach. For its fifth installment it has tapped Xavier Torres of Drunken Dragon, Alex Chang of Vagabond, Anthony Le Pape from The Ritz-Carlton, Michael Fiorello of Beachcraft and Diego Oka of La Mar by Gaston Acurio to compete for the title of Prince of Porc and represent Miami in the Grand Cochon in Aspen later this year.
The competing chefs are asked to prepare a maximum of six dishes from one whole hog, that are then judged by a panel and guests. In addition to the 36 dishes the chefs will be making, plenty of beverages on hand including vino from five winemakers, a “Perfect Manhattan” and “Perfect Margarita” station, tiki bar and heritage rum carts, along with a selection of artisan cheeses and seafoods.
And this year the swine-centered activities have spread throughout the entire weekend. Beginning Friday, April 1, with a “Late Night Asian Speakeasy” hosted by Cesar Zapata of Phuc Yea along with chefs former Princes of Porc Jose Mendin and Aaron Brooks, along with Timon Balloo and Oka, creating an “in an all-inclusive feast paying homage to Chinese, Sichuan, Korean, Thai and Japanese” cuisine. The following night, April 2, the Chef’s Course Dinner Series hosted by Fiorello of Beachcraft at 1 Miami Hotel, with a seated dinner and pairings. For more information and to purchase tickets to the events visit here.