Baconfest VIP Tickets Go On Sale Monday

By Anthony Todd in Food on Dec 6, 2012 4:00PM

Here we go again, people. The only thing in the Chicago world that causes more cases of carpal tunnel from repetitive clicking than the release of a new Next Menu has returned for another year. Yup, we're talking about Baconfest.

Baconfest 2013 is following the same basic outline as Baconfest 2012. The event itself happens on April 20th, 2013. Instead of one big festival, it's broken up into parts. There's a morning session and an evening session, each with a full roster of chefs, treats, booze and more. If you're not sure what Baconfest looks like, take a look at last year's event. It's pretty intense; at the moment the doors open, a wave of pork-crazed hungry people flood into the exhibition hall. There are 50 chefs per session, merchandise vendors, liquor sponsors and tons more. If you're into bacon, you will be a happy, happy person. Just remember not to wear wool.

How do you avoid the zombie-like pig-loving hordes? Buy a VIP ticket! Those are the ones that go on sale next Monday, December 10th. The rest of the tickets (which sold out in three hours last year) go on sale in February, but if you want to ensure your access to Baconfest right now, get ready to start clicking.

VIP tickets are a bit more expensive than general admission. What do you get for your $200? You get into the festival an hour early, so you have a chance to mix, mingle and stuff your face in peace before everyone else arrives. With only 175 VIPs per session, that hour is actually pretty calm. If there's a particular chef you want to chat up or if you are ambitious about tasting everything, the investment might be worth it to you. Or, it could be the best holiday gift ever.

A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Last year, Baconfest gave $50,000 the Depository - that's a lot of happy, bacon-filled people doing a lot of good.

Buy tickets here. The link will become active at 9:00 a.m. on December 10th.