NEW YORK-MARCH 21:Cochon 555: 5 Chefs 5 Pigs 5 Winemakers on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Pier Sixty – Chelsea Piers Entertainment Complex at West 23rd Street and Hudson River, New York City, NY. COCHON 555 is the national competition tour that features five chefs, five pigs and five winemakers. The event came to Chelsea Piers on Sunday, March 21. In an effort to preserve heritage pigs and breed diversity, the event consists of each chef creating a series of dishes from a whole heritage breed pig. The winner of each of the 11 local city events will go on to compete in the "Grand Cochon" at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. This year in New York, the competing chefs were Chef Mark Ladner of Del Posto, Corwin Kaye of Fatty ‘Cue (who won the NYC division last year as the Fatty Crab chef), Marco Canora of Hearth, Adam Kaye of Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Gavin Kaysen (see also: Behind the Burner) of Café Boulud. Not only did guests consume a total of 750 lbs. of piggy goodness, but they also experienced a breakdown demonstration, hold 51% of the weight in the judging (the rest goes to an esteemed judging panel) and were able to sip wines from local family-owned wineries. WHY/PURPOSE: To promote heritage pigs and breed diversity in local and national communities. Also, to raise awareness for Farms for City Kids, a unique educational program combining classroom study with first-hand farming experience for urban youth. VIP Butcher: Tom Mylan, The Meat Hook. Resident Butcher: Ryan Farr, 4505 Meats. Swine and Sweets by Roni-Sue’s Chocolates and brews by Brooklyn Brewery . Wineries: Elk Cove Vineyards, Gamble Family Vineyards, Wind Gap Wines, K Vintners, Buty Winery. VIP: Reserve wines by Domaine Serene and Shinn Estate Vineyards. Cheese by Murray’s Cheese, Mixologist Daniel Hyatt and Templeton Rye. Sponsors: Formaticum,Frank Alexander,La Quercia, Edible Manhattan, YELP, FoodBuzz, 4505 Meats, Templeton Rye and Heritage Foods USA. PHOTO CREDIT:Copyright ©Manhattan Society.com 2010 by Christopher D.M. London | tel: Private |e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com