The whole eating-bugs-by-choice thing hasn't quite made its way to LA—though we do know a couple bars around the city where you can drink bug-infused cocktails. This weekend, though, the Natural History Museum is inviting museum-goers to dip their toes into the edible bug pool at their annual Bug Fair, a celebration of all things creepy and crawly. Events include hands-on workshops, tours of the NHM's entomology collection, live insect meet and greets and this: a bug chef cook-off.
During Master Chef: Bug Edition, insects will be fried, scrambled and seared by David George Gordon and Zach Lemann, who are noted entomophagists (those who practice the consumption of insects as food—yeah, we had to look that one up). The chef's dishes will be judged by Alie Ward, a host of Tripping Out with Alie & Georgia on the Cooking Channel, along with entomologist Phil Torres. And yes, you'll be able to try Gordon and Lemann's snacks yourself. Who's in??
The bug cook-off will be held at the Otis Booth Pavilion G at 11am on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the Bug Fair is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and students, and $5 for children (3-12); museum members and children under 2 are free. Tickets can be purchased here, but admission to Master Chef: Bug Edition is on a first-come, first-serve basis. One thing we don't know: are the bugs gluten-free?
Will you be snacking on bugs this weekend at NHM? Let us know in the comments below!
And, just for fun, watch this (live, not for eating) dancing bug get down in a NHM Bug Fair promo video: