James Norton and Becca Dilley drove 7,600 miles during the winter of 2007-08, interviewing cheesemakers, listening to their stories, tasting their cheeses and exploring the plants where they work. The culmination of their journey is their new book, The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin.

The book showcases 43 of the 44 Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers, who have devoted at least 13 years of their lives to attain the certification, the only one of its kind in the U.S. The Master’s program rivals similar rigorous training in Europe, and includes classes, facility inspections and a written final exam.

Norton and Dilley will discuss their work and sign books at the UW-Madison Memorial Union's Main Lounge on November 19. Several Masters profiled in the book will join them for cheese samplings, including Sid Cook of Carr Valley Cheese, Bruce Workman of Edelweiss Creamery, Joe Widmer of Widmer Cheese Cellars and Bob Wills of Cedar Grove Cheese.

Six Wisconsin artisan cheeses will be featured by Greg & Mary Sonnier at a fundraiser they are hosting at their special event venue, The Uptowner, to raise money for medical needs for local shrimp industry icon, Ray Brandhurst.  New Orleans finest chefs and restaurateurs including Greg & Mary Sonnier, the John Besh Restaurant Group, the Donald Link Restaurant Group, Aaron Burgau (Patois), Patti Constantin Designs in Catering, Justin Develier (La Petite Grocery), and Chris DeBarr (Green Goddess), Lisa Barbato Crescent City Farmer's Market Pastry Vendor, Dan Stein/Stein's Deli and Market to name a few, will offer their best dishes for the afternoon fundraiser (beer, wine and soft drinks will be provided).  The ticket price for the event is $40 and can be purchased at the Crescent City Farmer's Market or at door the afternoon of the event.

To learn more about this fundraiser, go to http://www.lafeteneworleans.com/neworleans/events/view/7081/FRIENDS-OF-FOUR-WINDS-SUNDAY-SOIREE.

Meet Beth Crave from Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese! Beth will be sampling their award-winning Fresh Mozzarella and Mascarpone at Brennan's Market in Monroe, Wisconsin.

To learn more about Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, go to www.cravecheese.com.

Wisconsin's cheesemakers have long been renowned for their unparalleled innovation, artistry and technical expertise, but never have those qualities come into play in more exciting ways than today, as America's Dairyland experiences a true renaissance in its artisan and farmstead cheesemaking.

The First Annual Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival celebrates the state's growing number of dairy artisans and award-winning collection of American Original cheeses. Taste dozens of cheeses and learn more about the reinvigoration of Wisconsin dairy during this first annual cheese festival.

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
Meet the Cheesemaker Gala Event

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009
Tour Option A: Farmer's Market & Artisan Cheese Tasting
Tour Option B: Cheese Plant Tour & Fondue Lunch
Educational Seminars
Madison Dine Around

Check the website for additional details and specific event times.

Join us live online for a culinary event and web chat. Includes cooking demos, artisan cheese education and culinary give-aways.

Thursday, November 5th
2-3 PM CST

Tune-in at www.LiveArtisanCheeseChat.com

Host and Guest Speakers:

• Chef Chris Koetke
  Kendall College Dean of Culinary Arts
  Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Chef Ambassador
• John Brody
  Cheesemaker for Sargento Foods
• Chef Ulrich Koberstein
  Executive Chef at The American Club, Destination Kohler
  Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Chef Ambassador

Questions about this event can be directed to cheeseadventurer@gmail.com.

Join fans of craft beer and sustainability to support the Great Lakes Craft Brewers & Water Conservation Conference and meet the attending brewers. The dinner, catered by Bartolotta's, will feature craft brews as well as tastings of specialty cheeses from sustainably operated cheese companies, including Crave Bros. of Waterloo, Saxon Homestead Creamery, and a special display of the biodynamic wastewater treatment system designed by Bob Wills of Cedar Grove Cheese Co.

Conservation groups such as Clean Wisconsin, The Gathering Waters Conservancy, Milwaukee Riverkeepers, The Shedd Aquarium's Listen to Your Lakes Program, and more, are setting up displays.

Speakers at the reception include Jake Leinenkugel, president of the Leinenkugel Brewing Co., the exclusive platinum sponsor of the conference, and Marc Smith, Great Lakes Restoration program director from the National Wildlife Federation.

Cost: $45 per person

To buy tickets, and learn more about the event, visit:
www.conserve-greatlakes.com

The 8th Annual Madison Food & Wine Show is Madison's premier gourmet tasting event. This event offers the opportunity to sample Wisconsin Cheese, the best food and the finest wines from throughout the area. This sampling experience paired with exceptional demonstrations and the exciting Dueling Chef's Competition make for a weekend of culinary fun!

Friday, October 23
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Saturday, October 24
Noon - 7:00 pm

Sunday, October 25
Noon - 4:00 pm

One-day passes are available for $37 in advance or $42 at the door.
Weekend passes are available for $60 in advance or $70 at the door.

Sample Wisconsin Cheeses, enjoy exciting fare from award-winning local and international chefs, soak up culinary knowledge from the food and wine specialists, get your cookbooks signed by their celebrity authors, and so much more.

Special Seminar: Tour of Wisconsin's Cheese
Cooking Demo, presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Chef Ambassadors ($30.00)

10:15am - 11:15am - Midwest Chefs' Stage

Stop by Figi's Outlet Store and try the following cheeses and much more! In-store drawings and other products will also be featured.

• Sartori Raspberry BellaVitano Cheese
• 4-Way Cheese Horn featuring Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack and Marbled Colby & Monterey Jack
• Harmony Specialty Dairy Foods Artisan Cheeses

Join us at Milwaukee's 1st annual grand tasting event, Wine & Dine Wisconsin. This event is for discerning adults who seek superb cuisine, fine wines and culinary creativity. This Milwaukee Home & Fine Living event, produced by parent company the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, will feature chefs offerings, vintners, microbrewers, caterers and artisanal food producers in 100 exhibits. And, of course, Wisconsin Cheese. Several stages will present demonstrations and competitions by today's most notable chefs and sommeliers. Set for Wisconsin harvest time, on the cusp of the holiday season, Wine and Dine Wisconsin provides an important primer for those always after the latest in cooking, entertaining, dining – all the best things in life.

Buy Your Tickets Now
$32/advance $42/door
Ticket includes all tasting and sampling, as well as enjoyment of all stage presentations.

Saturday hours are 11 am to 5 pm

Sunday hours are 12 noon to 5 pm
PLEASE NOTE: Your one-day ticket is good for EITHER day of Wine & Dine Wisconsin

 

Meet cheesemakers, growers, brewers, farmers, yogurt makers, candy makers, & bakers, at an outdoor market "vendor showcase" at the New Glarus Brewing Company – home of the popular farmhouse-style ale "Spotted Cow".

Demonstrations and seminars will take place throughout the day. One seminar not to miss is "Partners on the Palate – Cheese and Beer Pairing." Presented by New Glarus Brewing Company and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Join WMMB's Sara Hill (Culinary Manager, Cheese Education) along with a brewer from New Glarus Brewing Company in a tasting adventure to learn how brews can complement or contrast with cheeses from Green County.<br><b>Limited to the first 50 participants. Register at the information tent.</b>

An evening of two midwest favorites – beer & cheese! Sara Hill, culinary manager of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, will join us to discuss wisconsin artisan cheeses. She'll demo the making of fresh cheese and present a pairing of cheese and beers from the midwest. Must be 21 & over. ($35.00 per person)
 

The Festival of Flavors will showcase Wisconsin products, local goods and culinary artisans, Wisconsin wineries and cheese producers, plus present an expo of the healthful aspects of food and fitness.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

General Festival Admission: Free

"Celebrate the Taste" Admission:

• Advance Ticket Sales - $25.00/Adult (check online, or purchase at the door)
• $12/Children** up to age 16 who will be "tasting" and with admitted parent
• FREE/Children under age 10, NOT "tasting" but with admitted parent

Festival Brochure

Award winning artisan cheese makers George and Debbie Craves return for their 5th annual cheese class. The Craves have been Wisconsin dairy farmers for over 20 years and continue to win awards year after year. This class will feature their artisan cheeses and students will make fresh mozzarella to take home.
 

Wisconsin has been producing more cheese than any other state the nation for more than 100 years. In this class, Wisconsin native and dairy expert Sara Hill will show us just how wonderful Wisconsin's cheese tradition is. From rustic and simple cheese curds ("squeakers" in local parlance) to award-winning artisanal masterpieces, cheeseheads of all kinds are sure to love this tasting tour of America's dairy heartland, complete with brewed accompaniments from the Great Lakes region. ($65 per person)
 

Family Winemakers of California looks forward to welcoming you to the most comprehensive tasting of California wines in the world ... a showcase for the state's small, family owned wineries, as well as a tasting for Wisconsin Cheese.

Although the show is primarily intended for trade on both Sunday and Monday, the public is welcome on Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Call or click the link for ticket information.

Be among the first to try some of the award-winning cheeses from the American Cheese Society's annual competition and Wisconsin's State Fair competition.

Cost is $25.00. Register by calling Larry's Market at 414.355.9650 or by stopping at the store.

 

Brady Street Festival 09 brings on the Cheese and brings in the Funk!

The Brady Street Improvement District (BID) announces Brady Street Festival, featuring Cheesefest on Saturday, July 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  The Festival takes place on Brady Street, Van Buren to Farwell (Brady will be closed to auto traffic.) The festival will feature delicious fare from award-winning Wisconsin cheese makers and organic, seasonal treats from Whole Foods. Vendors will be selling art, jewelry and other items throughout the day; a fashion show featuring the retailers and salons of Brady Street; and ever popular fashion drag show. Musical entertainment will include a delicious variety of jazz, world, folk and rock music. 

Participating Wisconsin Cheese Companies:

Roth Kase
Sartori Foods
Saxon Creamery
Carr Valley Cheese
Castle Rock Organic Farm
Seymour Dairy
Uplands Cheese
Holland's Family Farms
And more to come…

Wisconsin Cheese Originals is sponsoring an exclusive tour of Roth Käse USA, including the first-ever tasting of Roth Käse experimental & trial cheeses (varieties never before tasted by the public), and an amazing fondue tasting in Roth Käse's elegant culinary center, overlooking thousands of wheels of cheese, gently aging to perfection. This experience is for Wisconsin Cheese Original members only. (Not a member? Join here.) Event cost: $15. Contact Wisconsin Cheese Originals for tour time.

Betty Lou Cruises in Madison is hosting a special Wine & Cheese cruise on Lake Monona. See the Full Moon rising over Madison's gorgeous skyline as you enjoy a variety of gourmet cheeses from local Wisconsin artisan cheese makers as well as some tempting appetizers served with perfectly paired wines. Cost is $60 all inclusive (yacht, wine, cheese, appetizers, tax and tip).

Register Online