Media Launch: National Bacon Week and the $120 Bacon & Egg Roll at 4Fourteen, Surry Hills (13 May 2013)

72a Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

http://www.4fourteen.com.au

Bringing home the bacon

“Australian Bacon Week is an initiative to highlight the pink square PorkMark label – the only guaranteed way consumers can choose 100 per cent pure home grown Australian bacon. ‘Made in Australia’ does not mean the product is made from Australian grown pork, only that it has been manufactured here. So some 65% of bacon sold here is made here from pork that is imported frozen, thawed out and then manufactured into bacon in Australia”

There's not many things that get me out of bed earlier than normal but the opportunity to try a ridiculously priced Bacon & Egg Roll ($120) seems to be one of those things. Head Chef Carla Jones (pictured above) is responsible for the decadent menu addition for those with money to burn at 4Fourteen in support of National Bacon Week 12–19 May. The rich flavours certainly go well together but I'd recommend mere mortals first check with their bank manager before ordering and perhaps their doctor as I fear it contains enough calories to break your daily recommendation. Not only is it the most expensive roll in Sydney but it was also the most photographed at the event. I guess anything this expensive is bound to attract media attention. I'm now waiting for someone to create a lobster roll with scallops, prawns and caviar all in a gold leafed brioche bun with a dozen freshly shucked oysters on the side instead of chips for twice as much. 

For the cheap punter there's a $30 version available without foie gras, caviar and shaved truffle although this still comes in at around 5 times more than my regular bacon & egg roll with a coffee near my work. What my regular place won't have but wished they did is the National award-winning bacon from Slade Point Meat Specialists in Mackay, Queensland. For something a bit closer to home I'm tempted to visit the National winner for short cut bacon from Stapleton's Family Meats in Gymea. Other restaurants taking part in Bacon Week with their own decadent bacon & egg roll are 3 Weeds Hotel, Bishop Sessa, Boston, Grasshopper and Huxtaburger. Not sure of their pricing but it definitely won't be more than $120.

Thanks Stewart White from Whiteworks Public Relations for inviting me to the event.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Australia makes very good quality bacon 

CONS: I can't afford/justify a $120 bacon & egg roll

MUST TRY: Getting my hands on some national award winning bacon to fry up at home

VERDICT: I'm hoping someone in Sydney will be making a more economical bacon & egg roll using the national winning bacon from Slade Point Meat Specialists so I afford to try it

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Bacon & Egg Roll (media launch mini sampler) with award-winning full rasher Australian bacon from Slade Point Meat Specialists, duck egg cooked in truffle butter, roasted foie gras, 18-month cave-aged cheddar, shaved truffle, semi dried smoked gourmet truss tomato with a crème fraîche and caviar dressing, served on a brioche bun.

Rich flavours work well together although I'd love to try the bacon just on its own

Chefs Carla Jones and Colin Fassnidge with kitchen team

Best Australian Bacon by butcher Steve Chapman from Slade Point Meat Specialists in Mackay, Queensland

Chef Colin Fassnidge (centre), Mark Stapleton (right) National winner for short cut bacon from Stapleton's Family Meats, Gymea

Mitch Edwards; Andrew Spencer, Stewart White

David Blue (NSW State winner full bacon rasher, Kenthurst Butchery), Steve Chapman (National winner full rasher bacon, Slade Point Meats), Stewart White, Chef Colin Fassnidge, Martin Carr

Photo time

Louise Tran (OzHarvest), Rosie Fittler (ACP Books Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks)

Chef Paul Cooper (Bishop Sessa), Chef Lauren Murdoch (3 Weeds), Dane Richards (Le Von Vivant)

A few nice looking wines

Very cool light feature

4Fourteen menu

Toilet humor

'Friends are the bacon bits in the salad bowl of life' — Homer Simpson

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