I had the pleasure of judging a bacon contest last night at an annual Bacon Party and had to try just about 25 dishes … all with bacon as an ingredient. I sampled numerous dips, appetizers and even a bacon bloody mary. Needless to say, I will be abstaining from bacon for a bit, but it was a delicious experience before the nausea set in.

First place went to strips of chocolate-covered bacon; second place was a Hot Brown casserole; third place was the aforementioned bacon bloody mary; and fourth space, the “sweet” category, went to bacon chess bars made from a family recipe.

Bacon, it’s what for dinner.