Central Point, OR – Oregon-inspired culinary events, including a farmer’s market-style artisan food and wine festival, will kick off with the Meet the Cheesemakers and Winemakers Dinner @ the Oregon Cheese Festival during the third weekend in March.
At the festival on Saturday March 16th, thousands of visitors will sample cow, sheep, and goat cheese from Oregon creameries, including Juniper Grove Farm, Pholia Farm, La Mariposa Creamery, Mama Terra Microcreamery, Ochoa Creamery, Tumalo Farms, Tillamook County Creamery, Willamette Valley Cheese Co., Fern’s Edge Goat Dairy, Rivers Edge Chevre, Briar Rose Creamery, Oak Leaf Creamery, Portland Creamery, Rogue Creamery, and many others.
Held under one large tent at Rogue Creamery's Central Point facility, the ninth annual festival will invite guests to shake hands with cheesemakers & other artisans. Activities will be provided for children including games, activity sheets and giveaways (limited quantities).
"The farmer's market format will present an interactive experience between makers and visitors, giving everyone an opportunity to talk about the product, the process and learn each individual cheesemaker's story," says David Gremmels, co-owner with Cary Bryant of Rogue Creamery. "It's a way to truly be connected with the source of the cheese being presented."
Southern Oregon & other local culinary artisans and beverage providers who are expected to participate include Lillie Belle Farms, Rogue BBQ, Gary West Meats, Applegate Valley Artisan Breads, Butte Creek Mill, Cupcake Daily, Marshmallow Heaven, Slagle Creek Vineyards, Rosella’s Vineyard , Quady North , Longsword Vineyard, Ledger David Cellars, South Stage
Cellars, Spangler Vineyards, Serra Vineyards , Caprice Vineyards, Pyrenees Vineyard and Cellars, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Crater Lake Cellars, Hot Lips Soda, Clear Creek Distillery, Standing Stone Brewery, Oakshire Brewing, and Rogue Ales. Samples and /or sales will be offered at each booth.
To commence the festival, a sumptuous meal introducing guests to participating artisans will be held at the historic Ashland Springs Hotel in Ashland Friday night, March 15th from 6:15 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. The dinner is held for the benefit of the nonprofit 501 (c) (6) Oregon Cheesemaker Guild (limited seating available). Each course will spotlight a cheese made by one of the festival's artisans paired with a local wine.
“The event will give the public a chance to have an intimate conversation with the experts at an elegant dinner at the Ashland Springs prepared by their excellent culinary team,” says Gremmels.
On Friday afternoon, cheesemakers will collaborate to create the most fabulous cheese plate imaginable," says Gremmels. The phenomenal result will greet guests at the evening's commencement dinner.
The Oregon Cheese Festival will be open to the public Saturday, March 16th from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Rogue Creamery, 311 North Front St, Central Point, OR.
A $15 entry fee includes tastings and demonstrations. A $5 wine, beer and spirit tasting fee includes a commemorative glass with the Oregon Cheese Guild logo. Tickets to the dinner are $95 per person (limited quantities), and are available by calling the toll free number 866 -396-4704. For more information contact the Oregon Cheese Guild website @ www.oregoncheeseguild.org , Rogue Creamery at 866-396-4704, or www.roguecreamery.com.
Our special guest this year will be Chester Hastings, the author of the James Beard Nominated cookbook, The Cheesemonger’s Kitchen from Chronicle Books. With 20 years of professional chef experience, Chester has traveled extensively throughout Western Europe and the United States exploring the culinary world. Currently, Chester is a chef at his family owned and operated gourmet food emporium, Joan’s On Third, located in Los Angeles, where he has been instrumental in the creation of the celebrated cheese counter. Chester’s culinary experience and vast knowledge of cheese will be sure to surprise.
The festival would not be possible without the generous support of the City of Central Point, the Medford Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Dairy Farmers of Oregon, Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department, Rogue Ales, Cheese Connoisseur Magazine, and the members of the Oregon Cheese Guild.
Source: Rogue Creamery
