Make Way For Poutine Fest

By Melissa Wiley in Food on Feb 5, 2014 3:30PM

We love our friends to the north, but they’ve got their quirks. Curling, bagged milk, and polar air funneled fast as prescription painkillers across the border are things we suffer, not indulge. But a friendship’s a friendship, so let’s keep the focus on what Canadians—with a special shout-out to those crazy Québécois—really bring to the table: poutine.

Not only were these five-pin bowlers inspired to drizzle French fries with gravy and cheese curds, greasing even the greasiest spoon with some added bacon and pulled pork, but they brought the love south. Chicago chefs quickly curated a cult following and devised their own variations. A formal competition was only a matter of time, because this is technically a democracy but there can only be one Ruler of Poutine at the second annual Poutine Fest, set for Sunday, Feb. 23 at Haymarket Pub and Brewery, where you should come taste some victory for yourself.

The Gage will work to defend its winning title, but Sunday Dinner Club, Barrelhouse Flat, Red Door, Troquet, Le Bouchon, The Brixton, and Haymarket will all vie for usurpation rights using curds from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Boelli Cheese Haus, both sponsors of the event. General admission tickets cost $70 per person and include drink tickets, 10 poutine tickets and a limited edition Poutine Fest bag for either the noon-2 p.m. or 4-6 p.m. session. VIP tickets cost $85 per person, get you in an hour early before your festival session and include an extra drink ticket as well as a Poutine Fest pint glass in addition to the regular admission goodies. Tickets for Poutine Fest go on sale to the public this Friday, Feb 7 at noon on their site. All profits will be donated to Growing Home, a leading social enterprise that employs organic agriculture as a vehicle for job training, employment, and community development.

Haymarket Pub and Brewery is located at 737 W. Randolph St.