Cochon 555 for $125?

What I was most impressed with at Cochon was the impact I notice on the blogs, on the forums (people talking about pigs and farms) people talking about chefs doing the right thing, people just talking about the positive impact these organizers have on the food system as a whole. Cochon started a conversation across the country - how many people do that? It feels good to stand in lines and to meet...+READ

What I was most impressed with at Cochon was the impact I notice on the blogs, on the forums (people talking about pigs and farms) people talking about chefs doing the right thing, people just talking about the positive impact these organizers have on the food system as a whole. Cochon started a conversation across the country - how many people do that? It feels good to stand in lines and to meet people who are of the same cloth, to talk with people sharing the same morale about food and where it should be coming from, to celebrate the experience together - its unique. As a foodie and Native San Franciscan who has traveled extensively through the U.S., Asia and Europe, and eaten at innumerable high end restaurants as well as holes in the wall, I would have to say I attended the Napa event and thoroughly enjoyed the experience (favorites restaurants include La Regalade in Paris, Daniel Boulud, Fatty Crab and Udokko in N.Y., La Giostra and Café Pitti in Florence, Hotel Danieli in Venice, Paris Café in Rome, Commis in Oakland, El Bulli in Spain, Starhouse and Gaddis in Hong Kong, Li Qun Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing, Clio in Boston, and Michael Mina and La Folie in San Francisco, to name a few) ---- AND I never post to forums or waste my time reading threads like these because I feel most people are just complaining to hear themselves complain (which draws up a conversation about "are critics/bloggers even qualified?" to make comments like these) - In the end, I just needed to post to this thread because I feel what Cochon is doing is amazing - there might be flaws - but this event is not fast food (these are the independents of America) and I wanted to respond because we need to protect and support events like cochon, how many National food tours do you see that have an actually cause that you can sink your teeth into?

The event is a tasting - not a buffet. Good food prepared by top chefs takes time to prepare (like 5 days), it's unlike any other event - it's not a typical festival - it's a showcase of independent principles showing great wines and slow food. My introduction via blog, mentioned the ratio of pig per pound to person is 2.1 lbs each. So I went, I waited to eat five pigs (saying hello to each chef), then cochon wheeled out [2] more whole pigs right before passing the dessert (and the wine - bottomless glass of wines costing . Across the country I have heard this event is gaining mad respect in the chef and responsible food communities. From being in the business, you can see in the pictures that everyone really who's anyone in the independent food game attends, and raves about it. People notice the differences in this event and the the event is about "respecting the animal" and "respecting the chef" trying to source it from farmers handling pig from birth to plate which takes time. The chefs have been cooking the pig for 5 days - standing in line for 20 minutes?? Not a BIG deal This same thing happens at food carts and taco trucks all over the country everyday, great food that people are happy to stand in line for - if you don't like waiting in lines - hit the drive thru folks.

Don't go to Cochon 555 and expect fast food or buffets. This is real food and real people. The ticket is actually grossly low for the price of the event, if I were to price this event at retail, i would say at least $300 per person. I suggest that Cochon raise the price, maybe that would weed the crowd of those looking for cheap food thrills. This is an event for people who appreciate great food, are willing to wait just a little bit and still want the food system to improve even more. I was at an event, saw someone complaining to the organizers, the demanded a refund, they got their money back and then later, I saw the same couple still walking around the event eating and drinking - I don't have time like those complaining in this thread, let's step up and support the majority who are appaulding the chefs, farmers and organizers for doing something different and making the food system better - go Cochon - I support you.-COLLAPSE

By Ms.Delicious on March 16, 2011 10:00 AM