San Francisco, Calif. – California Artisan Cheese Guild (CACG), the 10-year-old nonprofit dedicated to education, support and preservation of California’s artisan cheesemaking community, today announces the lineup for the second annual SF Cheese Fest to be held Saturday, September 17, from 6 – 9pm, at the historic Social Hall SF. This year’s theme, “Preservation: Salt, Sugar, Culture and Tradition,” unites local makers dedicated to keeping the tradition of cultured foods alive. Twenty-four Guild member cheese companies will sample dozens of California’s finest cheeses alongside local makers of cured meats, pickles, jams, sauces, craft beer and wine. Tickets go on sale today, Thursday, July 21, and are expected to sell out quickly.
Dancing to local jazz band, The Hot Baked Goods will keep the “culture alive” at Social Hall SF, a renovated 1909 landmark building preserved with intimate and historic flavor. Pioneering cheese companies Redwood Hill, Cowgirl Creamery, Laura Chenel’s, Marin French Cheese, Point Reyes Farmstead and Sierra Cheese are joined by artisan makers such as Bleating Heart, Nicasio Valley Cheese, Orland Farmstead, and Tomales Farmstead, along with newcomers on the cheese scene such as Chevoo and Pazzo Marco, among others. Beverages will be provided by local partners in preservation Magnolia Brewing, Fort Point Brewing and CACG member Herb Lamb Vineyards; and sweet and salty treats from Mission Cheese, Creminelli charcuterie, Mimi’s Confiture, CC Made, and Friend In Cheeses will provide an array of texture and flavor pairings to complement the cheeses.
“The mission of SF Cheese Fest is to celebrate the hard work, craftsmanship, and unique character of California cheese and cheesemakers,” says CACG Executive Director, Anthea Stolz. “Guests are invited to participate in preservation by rubbing elbows with real cheesemakers, jam and charcuterie crafters and meet cheesemongers, goat wranglers, cow milkers and sheep breeders. The evening will overflow with flavor and handmade foods that preserve a tradition rooted in Bay Area culture,” says Stolz.
Social Hall SF is located at 1270 Sutter Street in San Francisco. Tickets are $84 each and include all food and beverage sampling, music and dancing. Limited “Bring a Friend” tickets are $149 for two, available through Wednesday, August 31. All tickets are now on sale through the SF Cheese Fest website www.sfchesefest.com/tickets or through Eventbrite at https://sfcheesefest.eventbrite.com.
And for those who crave exercise while devouring even more cheese, the day after SF Cheese Fest is the annual Tour du Fromage, led by SF cheese expert Velo Fromage. This bike ride will take cheese lovers through several SF neighborhood cheese shops for a day of sampling, pairing, and cycling. The Tour date is Sunday, September 18, and will take place from 10am – 4pm. Tickets are $25, and for information and tickets please go to https://tourdufromage5.eventbrite.com.
All proceeds from the Tour de Fromage hosted by Velo Fromage are generously donated to the CACG.
SF Cheese Fest is made possible by generous sponsorship from The Chefs’ Warehouse, Bi-Rite Family of Businesses, Hilmar Cheese Company, and World's Best Cheeses. SF Cheese Fest is the primary fundraiser for the California Artisan Cheese Guild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artisan cheesemakers throughout the state.
Social Media: For those interested in participating with SF Cheese Fest via social media, please use the hashtag #SFCheeseFest.
Source: California Artisan Cheese Guild