The country's roving pig-themed culinary festival, Cochon 555, returns to Los Angeles on May 5, bringing its celebration of nose-to-tail cooking and sustainable farming of heritage-breed pigs.

Last year at the House of Blues, the event challenged five local chefs to prepare a menu created from the entirety of a heritage hog — Jason Neroni, Micah Wexler, Chad Colby, Neil Fraser and Ben Ford were all in the mix — with a supplementary lineup of cocktails and whiskeys that ensured everyone left well-lubricated with bacon fat and barrel-aged spirits.

Although the local chefs haven't been announced yet, the fifth anniversary of Cochon 555 promises to be the biggest yet. New additions to the event in 2013 include the launch of a tartare bar, a special mezcal tasting and a cocktail competition called “Punch Kings.” Tickets are $125 for general admission, $200 for VIP.

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