New Leaders Take The Reins At AFE

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) announced the appointments of new leaders at the Aug. 14 annual fundraising dinner: Gabriel Becerra as AFE's new chairman, Charles Kremp as treasurer/secretary-elect and Bill Fernandez as the newest trustee.

Jacob McCall Wins 47th Annual Sylvia Cup

The Sylvia Cup, the country's longest running live floral design competition, was even livelier than usual this year.
Jacob McCall, AAF, AIFD, FSMD, design director at The Elite Flower, Miami in Fla., won the grand prize — a silver trophy cup, $3,000 and a complimentary registration to SAF Amelia Island 2015.

Unlocking France's Secrets To Safer Raw Milk Cheese

August 20, 2014 April Fulton, NPR

In the English-speaking world, our approach to making cheese for most of the last 60 years has been like a Texas gunslinger's: kill bacteria, ask questions later. If it's not pasteurized, it's dangerous, the thinking goes.

Point Reyes Bay Blue Named 2nd Place Winner, Best Of Show

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company of Marin County took home two ribbons at the American Cheese Society’s Annual Judging & Competition in Sacramento, CA on Thursday, July 31st.  Point Reyes Bay Blue earned a 1st Place Ribbon in the Rinded Blue Cheese Category and was named the 2nd Place Winner, Best of Show.  Best of Show is awarded to the ‘best of the best’; out of 1685 total entries from 248 separate companies, the first place winners of the 105 separate categories are judged a second time to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Best in Show.

Chicagoist Cheese Of The Month: Bloomsdale From Baetje Farms

August 20, 2014 Erika Kubick, Chicagoist

Bloomsdale is named after the area where Baetje is located and has been dressed with numerous awards, placing first place in 2012 by the American Cheese Society. Inspired by Valençay, a classic French chèvre, the story of the cheese’s pyramid shape goes back to the days of Napoleon.