Whole Hog Invitational | The Inaugural Table

Crafted by Chefs. Rooted in the Land.

Presented by Meraki Hospitality Group and Indiana Grown

October 9, 2026 | 5-10pm Bulldog Park | Crown Point, IN

Indiana Grown connects Hoosiers with the farmers, producers, artisans, and businesses that define our state's agricultural heritage. As the Indiana State Department of Agriculture's official initiative, its mission is to strengthen local communities by promoting the people and products that are grown, raised, and made right here in Indiana.

As Presenting Partner, Indiana Grown helps bring that mission to life through the Whole Hog Invitational—uniting chefs, farmers, producers, and our community around a shared table that celebrates Indiana's agricultural heritage, whole animal utilization, and the relationships that make exceptional food possible.

Presenting Partner

Logo with text 'Indiana Grown' in black and a green outline of Indiana with a white leaf

Supporting Partners

Stewardship Partner: Centier Bank

As Stewardship Partner of the Whole Hog Invitational, Centier Bank supports the event while reinforcing the hospitality, sustainability, and community values at its heart. As a locally-owned bank with deep roots in Northwest Indiana, Centier’s partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in the people, businesses, and experiences that strengthen the communities we call home

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About The Event

The Whole Hog Invitational is a celebration of Indiana food, agriculture and the people behind both.

At the heart of the event is a whole-hog culinary competition featuring five chef teams, each challenged to work with heritage pork from Howe Farms and ingredients grown and produced throughout Indiana. The competition encourages creativity, whole-animal utilization and a deeper appreciation for where our food comes from.

But Whole Hog is about more than what happens on the plate. It was created to strengthen the connection between farmers and chefs, give greater visibility to the people raising and producing our food, and bring our community closer to the ingredients and stories that define our region.

That commitment to community also extends beyond the event itself. A portion of proceeds from The Whole Hog Invitational will benefit NWI No Child Hungry, supporting its work to help address childhood hunger right here in Northwest Indiana.

The Inaugural Table marks the beginning of what we hope will become an annual Northwest Indiana tradition—one that celebrates our culinary talent, supports Indiana agriculture, gives back to our community and reminds us that great food begins long before it reaches the table

Bring the Whole Family. Come hungry. Stay for the whole night.

Your Whole Hog Invitational ticket is your pass to an entire evening of food, drinks, live entertainment and family fun at Bulldog Park.

THE WHOLE HOG COMPETITION

Taste dishes from five competing chef teams, each working with heritage pork from Howe Farms and ingredients grown and produced throughout Indiana. Sample every chef’s creation, then cast your vote to help crown the inaugural Whole Hog Champion.

FOOD TRUCKS — INCLUDED ALL NIGHT

And the food doesn’t stop with the competition.

Every ticket includes food from our participating food trucks throughout the evening:

Meraki Mobile
RedBarn SmokeHouse
Battista’s Artisan Pizza
Snowie NWI

No additional food purchase required—just bring your appetite.

TWO DRINK TICKETS

Every admission includes two drink tickets, redeemable for alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.

Additional beverages will be available for purchase throughout the event.

LIVE ON CENTER STAGE

We’re bringing the energy to Bulldog Park with DJ Arrested Sounds plus live music from Muncie’s Free Joel on center stage.

FAMILY FUN

Whole Hog is built for the whole family. Kids can enjoy two bounce houses, an inflatable carnival game and more, while the City of Crown Point joins us with its Mobile Sensory Hub, a police vehicle and additional family experiences throughout the evening.

EAT LOCAL. GIVE LOCAL.

The night is also about giving back to our community. Guests can participate in a 50/50 raffle benefiting NWI No Child Hungry, with a portion of event proceeds supporting the organization and its work addressing childhood hunger throughout Northwest Indiana.

VIP guests will also have access to a special raffle featuring authentic experiences and items contributed by regional organizations, with proceeds benefiting NWI No Child Hungry.

ALL OF THIS. ONE TICKET.

General Admission tickets are just $49 and include a Swag Bag full of fun items for the family.

Five competing chef tastings. Food trucks all night. Two complimentary drinks. Live music. A DJ. Family activities. Local farmers and producers. And one big night celebrating Indiana food, agriculture and community.

What Your Ticket Includes

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The Competition

The Farm Behind the Table

Steve Howe | Howe Farms

A man sitting on a white object in a field of grass with trees in the background. He is wearing a baseball cap, sleeveless shirt, and jeans.
A black and white logo for a farm called 'Howe Farms' with the text 'Est. 2013' and 'Craft Meats'. The logo features silhouettes of a cow and a pig above the farm name, with decorative arrows.

Steve Howe is the owner of Howe Farms, a family farm dedicated to raising quality livestock while preserving the traditions and values of responsible agriculture. As the farmer behind the Whole Hog Invitational, Steve represents the connection between the land, the livestock, and the chefs who transform local ingredients into something extraordinary.

Through Howe Farms' livestock contribution and close collaboration with the event, Steve helps bring the farm-to-table story to life in a way that extends far beyond the plate. His commitment to raising livestock responsibly, caring for the land, and supporting regional agriculture reflects the values at the heart of the Whole Hog Invitational—celebrating the people who raise our food and the partnerships that strengthen our local food system.

For Steve, the Whole Hog Invitational is an opportunity to celebrate Indiana agriculture and the people who make it possible. By connecting guests with the farm behind the table, the event tells a deeper story about where our food comes from and the partnerships that strengthen our regional food community.

Visit Howe Farms
A male chef in a white chef's coat with his arms crossed, standing outdoors in front of green trees and a grazing pig.

The Culinary Vision

Chef Michael Lanzerotte

As Culinary Director for Meraki Hospitality Group, Chef Michael Lanzerotte oversees the menus, culinary programs, and signature events that define each of our restaurants and venues. But the Whole Hog Invitational reflects something even more personal.

As a farmer and owner of Rolling Fog Farmstead in Crown Point and the founder of Home Sweet Hive, Michael believes the strongest culinary experiences begin with a deep respect for the land, the people who cultivate it, and the ingredients they produce. His passion for local agriculture, responsible sourcing, and meaningful partnerships shaped the vision for the Whole Hog Invitational—bringing chefs, farmers, producers, and our community together around one shared table.

Through his leadership, this inaugural event celebrates more than culinary craftsmanship. It highlights the relationships between agriculture and hospitality, honors the principles of whole animal utilization, and showcases the collaboration that strengthens our local food community.

Learn More About Chef Michael

Made Possible By

  • Logo with the text 'Indiana Grown' and an outline of the state of Indiana featuring a leaf design.

    Presenting Partner

    Connecting guests with the farmers, producers, artisans, and businesses that represent Indiana agriculture.

    Visit Indiana Grown
  • Fireworks display with blue and gold colors next to the text 'Center Bank'.

    Stewardship Partner

    Supporting elevated guest experiences while investing in hospitality, community, and the future of the Whole Hog Invitational.

    Visit Centier
  • The word 'HATIKO' in orange pixelated block letters outlined in white on a black background.

    Founding Creative Partner

    Creating the original brand identity that introduced the Whole Hog Invitational in its inaugural year.

    Visit Katiko

  • Community Food Sponsor

    Helping provide food from our participating food trucks throughout the evening, included with every ticket.

    Visit Diamond Peak

  • Community Food Sponsor

    Helping provide food from our participating food trucks throughout the evening, included with every ticket.

    Visit Level 10

  • Community Beneficiary

    Supporting the fight against childhood hunger right here in Northwest Indiana.Description goes here

    Visit No Child Hungry
Group of six men standing outdoors in a field, with some holding drinks or water bottles, and one man raising his hand, possibly speaking or giving a presentation, under a partly cloudy sky, with trees and a netted trellis in the background.
Group of six men standing outdoors in a field, with some holding drinks or water bottles, and one man raising his hand, possibly speaking or giving a presentation, under a partly cloudy sky, with trees and a netted trellis in the background.
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