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 17th, thousands of visitors will sample cow, sheep and goat cheese from Oregon creameries, including Fraga Farm, 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 2 large tents at Rogue Creamery's Central Point facility, the eighth annual festival will invite guests to shake hands with cheesemakers & other artisans. Remote parking is available. 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, 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, Devitt Winery, Ledger David 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 16th from 6:15 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. The dinner is for the benefit of the non profit 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 led by Executive Chefs, David Georgeson & Kate Cyr “says Gremmels
On Friday afternoon, cheesemakers will collaborate to create the greatest 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 17th from 10a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rogue Creamery, 311 North Front St, Central Point, OR.
A $15 entry fee includes tastings and demonstrations. A $5 wine tasting fee includes a commemorative wine glass with the Oregon Cheese Guild logo. Tickets to the dinner are $90 per person (limited quantities), and are available by calling the toll fee 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.
Special celebrity guest this year will be Margo True, Food Editor of Sunset Magazine. She will be on hand to sign copies of her recently released book, One Block Feast and discuss the benefits of growing your own food. With a true love of food discovery, Margo enjoys exploring the world of food from the farm to the kitchen. Margo has a vast knowledge of gourmet food from her many years of experience as editor with Savuer and Gourmet.
As our honored guest, Margo will be the emcee of the dinner and will be featured at the festival on Saturday. She will conduct a class on cheesemaking, and in addition, she will also offer cheese and wine pairing techniques.
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
