CURED: Central Virginia Bacon Festival

From Gordonsville to Arrington, from Crozet to Keswick; the local food scene is thriving in Central Virginia. Farmers and butchers offer the freshest foods, and innovative award-winning chefs use raw materials to create exciting dishes accompanied by the concoctions of brewers and cider makers. Weeks could be spent traveling the area and experiencing the best of its culinary offerings. Now, these talented purveyors, chefs and brewers come together in one place on one day to offer a variety of tastings for one price.

Patrons can experience a dish by a James Beard nominated chef, a dish from a Forbes Five Star resort, or a dish from a favorite local diner all together at the inaugural CURED: Central Virginia Bacon Festival, sponsored by Starr Hill Brewery and the Rock Barn, on Saturday, May 30 from 1-5 p.m. at nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville, Va. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, April 3 at 10 a.m. at CuredFest.com.

The brand new festival will celebrate the thriving local food scene in Central Virginia with a selection of Charlottesville’s finest locally owned restaurants offering small plates of bacon-themed dishes. Featured restaurants will include BBQ Exchange, the Blue Moon Diner, Brookville, Citizen Burger Bar, Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie, Fossett’s (Keswick Hall), Ivy Provisions, Maya, Rapture, and the Ivy Inn, with more to be announced soon. Starr Hill Brewery will offer a variety of locally brewed beers with specific pairing recommendations for certain dishes. Local cider will also be available.

"We're thrilled to be a part of Cured and to bring back our award-winning rauchbier, Smoke Out, which pairs with just about every dish offered by these great local restaurants," said Starr Hill Brewmaster Robbie O'Cain. "It's bacon and beer. What more do you need?”

Vote to Benefit the Local Food Hub

Following their tastings, patrons can vote for their favorite restaurant by placing a ballot in the ballot box. One voting ballot is included with admission, and additional ballots can be purchased on site. VIP admission includes two voting ballots. Votes are $1 each, and the winning restaurant will be awarded the inaugural CURED Cup.

All proceeds will benefit the Local Food Hub in Charlottesville, a nonprofit organization that provides access to nutritious, locally farm-sourced food with the vision that knowledge and choice of local food becomes the norm, not the exception, for all segments of the community, and that small farms have a strong economic foothold in the marketplace.

Ticket Information and Limited Pre-Sale
General Admission and VIP tickets will go on sale this Friday, April 3, at 10 a.m. at CuredFest.com. General Admission tickets are $30 ($35 if purchased after May 15). Admission includes four Tasting Tickets and one voting ballot. Individual plates are available for one Tasting Ticket. Additional Tasting Tickets will be available for purchase on site.

VIP tickets are $60 (limited availability, must be 21 or older). VIP admission includes early entry at Noon, access to the VIP area on the stage, six Tasting Tickets, two Beer or Wine Tickets and two voting ballots. The VIP area will include special tastings, a demonstration of a hog carcass breakdown by Ben Thompson of the Rock Barn, and access to luxury VIP-only restrooms.  One VIP patron’s name will be drawn at random to win a 1-year membership in the Rock Barn’s Bacon of the Month Club.