California’s Artisan Cheese Festival debuted in 2007 and immediately became an acclaimed annual event for cheese lovers everywhere. This year’s bigger and cheesier four day event will again be hosted by the Sheraton Sonoma County – in Petaluma from March 20 – 23, 2009. Four days of seminars, tours, and demos will cover everything you wanted to know, (and of course taste) from curds to chevres.
Just a Nibble of What’s Happening:
Joseph Humphrey, John Ash, Joey Altman, Clark Wolf, Michael Tusk, and Laura Werlin are some of the headliners who will be cooking, teaching, and celebrating artisan cheese.
The festival kicks off on Friday night, March 20th, with a Meet the Artisans Welcome Reception and Tasting. Noted author and food consultant, Clark Wolf, gets the Saturday seminar program underway with a distinguished panel of experts tackling the topic: “Preserving and Advancing the Artisan Foods Movement”.
In a later seminar, cookbook author and cheese expert Laura Werlin pairs up with Sommelier and Wine Consultant, Christie Dufault for “Slam Dunk Pairings” in which the two discuss fail-proof cheese and wine pairings.
The Big Night:
Saturday night’s Artisan Gala Dinner is designed to be a truly memorable event. This five-course dinner is being prepared by some of the Bay Area’s most notable (and cheese loving!) chefs: John Ash, Duskie Estes (ZAZU and Bovolo), Joseph Humphrey (Murray Circle at Cavallo Point), Josh Silvers (Syrah and Jackson’s Bistro & Oven), and Christopher Moonsommy (Tolay at the Sheraton).
How Heavenly: 8,000 sq.ft. of Cheese!
The festival continues with the Sunday Artisan Cheese Marketplace, which is being held under an 8,000 square foot tent. This year’s Chef Stage boasts demonstrations from chefs Joey Altman, Chris Jones (The Girl and the Fig), Michael Tuohy (Grange, Sacramento), and Andy Wild (CIA Greystone). Sunday’s events also include a very special Cheese and Wine Pairing event with acclaimed chef Michael Tusk of Quince. Learn what makes Quince one of the highest rated restaurants in San Francisco!
Extra Credit for Field Trips.
Monday wraps up the weekend with field trips to local creameries for a first-hand look at the artisan cheesemaking process.
California’s Artisan Cheese Festival
Sheraton Sonoma County – Petaluma
Friday, March 20th – Monday, March 23rd 2009
For more information
Janice, thanks for spreading the cheese-word! We’ll post the two Monday Field Trips this week for those who can spend an extra day and watch cheesemaking up close.
i’m on my way. sounds great. thanks.