It is no secret that I dig prosciutto. Paper thin slices of salty ham, that luscious, melty little fat strip running down the side…it’s as superb rolled up around an asparagus spear as it is crisped up with roasted brussels sprouts.

You know what’s even better than prosciutto? FREE prosciutto! The good people at Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma have given me two pairs of tickets (that’s four tickets, people!) to this Thursday’s Cured and Crafted event at the Muse Event Center in the North Loop. 

I am jealous of whoever wins these tickets — if it fit into our calendar, we’d be there! You get to:

* Snack on prosciutto dishes and sip craft beer all night long
* Watch local chefs throw it down to see who is crowned King or Queen of Prosciutto
* Vote for People’s Choice dish on social media for a chance to win prizes like a LEG OF FREAKIN’ PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA
* Enjoy hot tunes from DJ Jake Rudh (who, incidentally, DJ’d our wedding…sans prosciutto)
* You can even get a Prosciutto di Parma tattoo and walk away with an ENTIRE FREAKIN’ LEG OF PROSCIUTTO (if you are nuts enough to do this, I demand pix or it didn’t happen)

Want to win a pair of tickets to the event (Thursday, July 31)? Here’s how you can eat Italian cured ham for free while helping others: 

I am on the board of directors of two local nonprofit organizations — Gifts for Seniors and Way to Grow. Help these organizations and you can win the tickets! 

* Like Gifts for Seniors on Facebook and Twitter for one entry

* Like Way to Grow on Facebook and Twitter for one entry

* If you register to golf in the Gifts for Seniors tournament (August 28), a pair of the tickets are yours. 

* If you buy a ticket for the Way to Grow gala (October 24), a pair of the tickets are yours. 

Let me know in the comments below that you’ve liked one or both organizations on social media or if you want to participate! 

I’ll announce the winners of the two pairs of tickets to Cured and Crafted event on Wednesday evening at 9:00 pm. 

Good luck!