Baconfest 2014

Ten home chefs brought the bacon and some fierce competition in our first ever Baconfest home chef cook-off. It was clear based on the spread that there were a lot of creative people competing but only one chef was lucky enough to win the grand prize.

The skies are gray and it's raining this morning in Cedar Rapids but the bacon is smokin' at NewBo City Market! It should start to clear up later this morning, just in time for Baconfest.

Did you know Bacon Fest has a mascot?  It's true.  His name is Bacon, and he went exploring the city trying to make his way to Bacon Fest.  Clearly he was a little confused.

Rainy day today, with another one projected for tomorrow... looks like a good time to curl up under a blanket and catch a good flick.  Maybe watch a pig on the screen, while enjoying a plate of bacon, or BLTs, or something.

Baconfest is coming up Saturday at NewBo, and there are so many dishes we can't wait to try, including Bacon S'mores, Bacon Mushroom Bruschetta, Slammin' Bacon Meatballs, Maple Bacon Bread Pudding, and Bacon Truffle Mac & Cheese.  Luckily, we didn't have to wait till Saturday for one of those.

Americans love bacon. That fact won't shock anyone, but there are plenty of other facts about bacon that you don't know!

Bacon: the word alone inspires salivation and nostalgia for its sizzling sound and delectable scent. It's great on its own, obviously, but the entire empire built around this food is hard to ignore. In preparation for Cedar Rapids' biggest celebration of bacon, we have compiled a list of the 10 craziest food items incorporating bacon...

There will be some crispy competition at Baconfest on Saturday, September 20 as our Home Chef Cook-Off contestants try to impress our three judges with their bacon-inspired dishes.

Baconfest 2014 is rapidly approaching, are you ready for all the bacony goodness? You'll be able to get all sorts of wild bacon concoctions, like bacon cupcakes and bacon ice cream. But do you know the finest beverage accompaniment when enjoying a strip or two of the good stuff?

We want to see how creative you can get cooking with bacon. Tell us what you would make for the Baconfest Home Chef Cook-Off for your chance to be one of 20 home chefs competing for the grand prize.