Cook Pigs Ranch Hopes to Maintain its Title as "Winning Pig" in Upcoming Cochon 555 Culinary Competition ( #Cochon555 #heritagepig )

    SAN DIEGO, CA, March 09, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cook Pigs LLC, a heritage pig ranch operation based in Julian, California announced that it has been teamed with Chef Walter Manzke of Republique for Cochon 555- Los Angeles. The event, taking place on Sunday, March 29, 2015, is part of the Cochon ten-city US Tour, which features top chefs preparing whole heritage breed pigs, together with winemakers, brewers, distillers and craft food makers. The tour, described as a series of honest food events, has been heralded for creating a positive impact on local agriculture, highlighting America's family farms that raise heritage pigs.

Last year, heritage pork from Cook Pigs Ranch was the centerpiece ingredient in the grand finale winning entry of Chef Ray Garcia. After winning the Los Angeles competition of Cochon 555, Garcia went on to win at the Grand Cochon, in Aspen, Colorado which brought together the winning chefs and heritage pigs from the ten regional events of Cochon 555. The ultimate winning entry in 2014 featured a Berkshire breed pig from Cook Pigs Ranch.

The Cochon organization makes the assignments of chefs to a specific heritage pig breed from a specific pig farm. "We were thrilled to learn we were teamed with Chef Walter Manzke for the 2015 Cochon 555," remarked Krystina Cook, Owner of Cook Pigs Ranch. "Not only is Walter an innovative and award-winning chef, but he has long been a proponent of eating sustainably and the farm-to-table ethos that is at the heart of what Cook Pigs Ranch stands for."

"I use Cook Ranch pigs at both of my restaurants (Petty Cash and Republique)," commented Chef Walter Manzke. "They're the best pig farm in Southern California."

The Cochon competition, created by founder Brady Lowe, celebrates sustainable farming and unites local farmers, renowned chefs, outstanding winemakers, established restaurateurs, brewers, and distillers, as well as the pork loving public. For more information on the event, see http://cochon555.com/

About Cook Pigs
Located in Julian, CA, Cook Pigs Ranch (www.cookpigs.com) is a family-run operation which raises heritage pigs humanely and sustainably in the iberico tradition. The feed program features a proprietary blend, free of hormones and non-natural supplements. The pastured pigs are raised to produce a unique quality pork with beautiful marbling, large fat caps and distinctive flavor. Cook Pigs is enjoyed by customers of innovative and sustainably-minded restaurants and butcher shops in the San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles areas. The company also operates the Cook Family Butcher Shop, a USDA-approved cut and wrap facility located in San Diego, with a second location at Julian Station in Julian.

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