Chris Novak
It is one of the oldest pork products known to man, but today it has taken on a new status. Bacon has developed a devoted following that almost approaches a religion. There are bacon festivals, bacon merchandise, and hundreds of bacon lovers web sites. Chris Novak, Chief Executive Officer of the National Pork Board, says bacon has taken on a new level of popularity in the past few years, “This is a tremendous opportunity for bacon.” He told HAT the recent popularity of bacon has increased the value of the pork belly for pork producers. He added bacon is a versatile product enhancing the flavor and texture of a variety of foods.
Bacon-lovers-mac-and-cheese
Novak says, while bacon is one of the most popular items with the segment of the population known as “foodies,” there are also new pork devotees in the gourmet food sector. He said pork has gone upscale and is being featured in some of the nation’s most prestigious restaurants, “While I am a pork chop and tenderloin sort of guy, it is amazing what the chefs in these white tablecloth restaurants are doing with pork.” He said pork cheeks, jowls, head cheese, and bellies are the main ingredients in some very creative meals. The Pork Board sponsored The Pork Crawl, which is a tour of top class restaurants in major cities around the world, “I am amazed at the creativity and versatility these chefs are bringing to pork.” He said, from the Food Network to gourmet magazines, pork is enjoying a new revival — one that the NPB is happy to promote. Indiana Pork capitalizes on this trend with the Taste of Elegance competition held each year at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
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Bacon web sites
Bacon Lovers
http://www.prankplace.com/shop/Products/Bacon-Lovers.aspx?gclid=CJe2taLnzawCFZIDQAodJR9srg
Indiana Kitchen Bacon Lovers bacon
Royal Bacon Society
http://www.royalbaconsociety.com/
Bacon Merchandise
