2 local restaurants take top prizes at BaconFest

Event draws more than 15,000 people

This weekend proved that bacon can draw a crowd.

More than 15,000 people showed up to the Fraze Pavilion on Saturday to celebrate the magic of bacon, according to Amy Zahora, executive director of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association.

With more than a dozen restaurants on hand, there were plenty of bacon inspired and infused dishes to choose from.

For the judges, the standout dishes came from Amber Rose, which won best use of bacon, critic's choice and best composed dish.

Winners in each category were:

People's Choice Award: Dewberry 1850

1414 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton

937-223-1000 or http://dewberry1850.com

Best use of bacon: Amber Rose's Thai BBQ bacon wrapped pork wings

Critic's Choice: Amber Rose's white cheddar apple wood smoked bacon mac and cheese

Best Composed Dish: Amber Rose's jalapeno bacon carnitas nachos

1400 Valley St., Dayton

937-228-2511 or www.theamberrose.com

Most creative use of bacon: Archer's bacon wrapped peanut butter and jelly hot dogs

2030 E. Dorothy Lane, Kettering, and 9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike, Centerville

937-291-1015 (Kettering), 937-401-1015 (Centerville) or archerstavern.com/

Best dessert: Duck Donuts Maple Glazed Bacon Donut

1200 Brown St., Dayton

937-951-2618 or duckdonuts.com

"People love bacon," said Zahora. "Some items have been so popular from the festival, restaurants have decided to add to their menus."

Other standout dishes included corn on the cobb with bacon garlic butter from Basil's on Market, a bacon poundcake from Dewberry 1850, a salmon BLT taco with smoked bacon aioli from The Dock in Enon, bacon churros from El Meson, bacon stuffed garlic toast grilled cheese from 1776 Grill and a strawberry bacon dream cake from Sweet-Umms Chocolatier. Not surprisingly, the bacon pizza from Marion's Piazza and bacon sundaes from Ritter's Frozen Custard were also hugely satisfying. It was a great day for celebrating everyone's favorite fatty pork product.

Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Share info about your menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.

About the Authors