Rick Bayless' flagship restaurant, Frontera Grill, is turning 30 and to celebrate, Bayless and company are throwing an extravagant birthday party in the Art Institute of Chicago Modern Wing. While you probably can't afford to attend the anniversary celebration on April 30 (tickets are a whopping $500 each), you might be able to justify one or more of the tempting items available in the event's silent auction. Here are the five craziest things you can bid on in Frontera's anniversary auction.
Rick Bayless, Frontera pop-up at your house: An easy way to impress all of your friends is by inviting them to your place for a dinner party where the guest of honor is none other than Bayless. You and 29 of your closest friends will enjoy an unforgettable dinner prepared by Frontera in your home. (Valued: priceless, minimum raise: $200)
Custom bacon workshop for four: Rob Levitt (the Butcher & Larder) will teach you and three buddies how to make your own custom-flavored signature bacon. The workshop is held at Local Foods and includes a tour of the facility, a butchering demo, beer provided by Moody Tongue and a Butcher & Larder T-shirt. You'll walk out of this workshop with great memories—and approximately 4 pounds of sliced and vacuum-packaged bacon. (Valued: $700, minimum raise: $35)
Gunthorp Farms pig roast: Greg Gunthorp earned his chops roasting pigs for Frontera's company picnic, the Chicago Cubs, the Super Bowl, and bands at Riot Fest and Farm Aid. Now, you and 100 of your friends can have this lord of the swine cater your very own pig roast. (Value: $1,000, minimum raise: $50)
Goat Hop for two: What's a Goat Hop, you ask? It's drinks and sample dishes at Duck Duck Goat, a second round of drinks and sample dishes at Girl & the Goat, and dinner, dessert and a nightcap at Little Goat Diner. (Value: $200, minimum raise: $10)
Custom cake by Vanille Patisserie: If there's one thing we've learned from Chance the Rapper, it's that custom cakes are fun. Vanille Patisserie will use innovative flavor pairings and sophisticated artistry to make sure your order is epic. (Value: $250, minimum raise: $15)
Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.