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Friday, March 13, 2015

Beer, Bacon, Chocolate, Cheese + Ticket Giveaway!

One of the benefits of writing about food is being asked to judge and attend foodie events. Here are some of my top picks for this weekend and next, including two events I’ll be attending. 

This is a new event that was very successful last year in New York and Seattle. The Bacon and Beer Classic takes place at baseball stadiums on non-game day Saturdays across the country. 

A ticket is all inclusive and the event features craft breweries and local restaurants for plenty of beer, food plus music, interactive games, beer schools and cooking demos. There are two sessions, one from 12- 3pm and another from 7-10pm. 

Some of the breweries include Schubros, Lagunitas, Anchor Brewing and Saint Archer. Some of the participating restaurants included are Casa de Cobre, Park Place, Frozen Kuhsterd and 71 Saint Peter. 

I will be attending this event at both sessions, if you’d like to attend, you can purchase a ticket with a 20% discount using the code AMY. 

I’m also giving away 2 VIP tickets worth $99 each! This gets you an extra hour of early access to the event plus some other perks. To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite craft beer and favorite dish that includes bacon. I will choose a winner at random on Monday March 16. Please only enter if you are able to attend the event. 

I’ve spoken, judged and just enjoyed attending the SF chocolate salon many times and will be judging again this year. 

The event features tastings of chocolates from many outstanding chocolatiers and confectioners including locals like Quail Point, Snake & Butterfly and Guittard in addition to other well known favorites like Amano, Choctal and William Dean. There will be demonstrations and presentations including one on tequila and chocolate pairing and another on tempering chocolate. 

It takes place this Sunday March 15 at Fort Mason, and tickets are $20 or $30 at the door.

It’s long been on my wish list to attend this premier cheese festival which brings together artisan cheesemakers, chefs, brewers, sommeliers, winemakers and passionate guests for three days of touring, tasting and learning about artisan cheese. The tours are sold out, but there are still tickets to the seminars on topics like cheese and chocolate, cider and cheese and cheesemaking 101—Feta and friends. 

The tasting events include the artisan cheese tasting and marketplace as well as a “cheesemaker’s duel” competition with two dozen cheesemakers creating some delectable from a block of cheese. 

This takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday March 20-22 in Petaluma and tickets start at $50 

Disclaimer: I was not paid to post this or any other post.