Hey New York City, are you ready for some BACON? Because the Great Big Bacon Picnic is back in Brooklyn on Sept. 24-25 this year and it looks like it’ll be better than ever. The lineup for this year’s event at The Old Pfizer Factory in Williamsburg includes Joe Carroll (St. Anselm, Fette Sau, etc.), Traif, PM Spirits, Kingsley, Sixpoint Brewery, Bareburger, Kings County Distillery, Antony Nassif (Mile End Deli), Snowdonia, New York Distilling Company, Endless Summer Sandwich, and so much more! General admission and VIP tickets are still available for several sessions during the weekend, so get ’em before they get snatched up!
The indoor/outdoor celebration of the one and only bacon will have over 100 chefs, restaurants, food trucks, brewmasters, distillers, mixologists, and culinary experts from all over NYC in attendance. Brooklyn’s own High & Mighty Brass Band will provide some live tunes to pair with your meats. It’s guarenteed to be foodie heaven in NYC and I cannot wait to get my bacon on.
I got a taste of this year’s Great Bacon Picnic from founders and brothers Craig and Lon Taylor, who were nice enough to take the time out to answer some questions about the big event. Check them out below!
What is the inspiration behind this year’s event?
Lon: The phenomenal chefs are the ones who inspire us with their amazing creations. We’re also supporting the Slow Food movement which promotes farm to table concepts and sustainable agriculture. Showcasing our bacon providers is also inspiring as they promote high quality, sustainably raised product that yield amazing bacon and flavor.
Craig: The add-ons, besides unlimited and ridiculously amazing bacon delicacies and top-shelf booze, you’ve got the Bacon Toss, Kiddie Pools, and The Great Big Food Coma Napping Area.
What are some of your favorite ways to eat bacon?
Lon: Thick cut and crispy with a little bit of maple syrup works perfectly for me.
Craig: Lon and I are obviously brothers – this is also my favorite, though I am more of a medium rare guy when it comes to my bacon.
What are you most excited about for the 2016 event?
Lon: I’m looking forward to tasting the food from all of our vendors and seeing how much energy they put into their dishes. They’re shooting for $9,000 in prize money and it’s fun to watch the friendly competition. I’m also excited about our “food coma napping area” that features Casper’s comfy beds.
Craig: The Bacon Toss – Tossing bacon for distance to a partner who must catch it in their mouth – that’s going to be hilarious.
What bacon dish from this year’s event are you most looking forward to?
Lon: The dishes from Traif, 1633, Sweet Chili and Kingsley are looking really great so far.
Craig: Sweet Chili’s Porkgasm sounds amazing, of course our Boss Hogg Winner from last year Bareburger bringing back their Maple Sriracha, candied bacon slider with pickled red onion, Boston bib lettuce, Sriracha aioli, on a pretzel bun. I love that Elizabeth’s Neighborhood Table has the balls to do a North Country Bacon Veggie Burger – I’ve heard it’s delicious.
What else should our readers know about this year’s event?
Lon: We’re once again committed to giving 10% of our net revenue to charity. City Harvest, Slow Food and No Kid Hungry will all benefit from our event.
Craig: The Bacon Bar – we originated this concept and we’ve already got 10 varieties in pure form waiting for y’all. High & Mighty Brass Band (Bonnaroo, Gov’s Ball) bringing it strong too. PM Spirits in VIP pouring ultra rare cognacs, armagnacs, and tequilas – luxurious indeed. Bacon Bloodys and Bacon Egg Creams. I could go on and on… It’s going to be a blast!
Be sure to follow along on their Instagram, Twitter, and official website!