This summer’s Cheesemonger Invitational had 40 cheesemongers participating with nine different States represented. Our winner is Jordan Edwards the head cheesemonger from Pastoral Artisan Cheese Bread and Wine in Chicago, Illinois.
Jordan impressed the judges throughout the competition. He was the top score on the Aroma Test. In the Salesmanship round, not only was he excellent in sales, he is the only monger to ever bring their own food safety tools to their sales station. In the food service rounds is where Jordan really shined scoring at the top in all three rounds.
Jordan’s Perfect Beverage was called “New York Sour” and was made with Fresh Lime, Simple Syrup, Cherry Vanilla Bitters, Willett Bourbon and a flout of Tawny Port paired with Colston Basset Stilton. His Perfect Plate was inspired by Richard Bradley who was an 18th century botany professor, publisher and gardener who published the first Stilton recipe.
Jordan’s plate included: mini glazed carrots, sweet curry, honey butter, ruby port-pickled pearl onions, duro almonds, white port, cinnamon, mace, Tart Ananans, Pink Peppercorns and Turbinado Brulee. Lastly, Jordan’s Perfect Bite was called Elotito which featured Vermont Creamery Chevre and included freeze dried corn, sweet paprika, torched corn, and corn cob ash. In the Finals, Jordan’s knowledge, charisma and passion were second to none.
We are very proud to call him a Cheesemonger Invitational Champion.
In his own words, “The Cheesemonger Invitational is like American Gladiators but with cheese. Thx to all the Mongers for making me feel like part of a family instantly.” I think Jordan’s employer’s capture it best, "Ken and I and the entire team at Pastoral are so proud of Jordan, who achieves whatever he sets his mind to. He is a great example to all of us and anyone who doubts their own capabilities. We look forward to working with our new champion to help all our new mongers excell!" said Greg O’neil.
The Cheesemonger Invitational (CMI) is an event like no other in the Milky Way. Forget what you herd, this event is a cheese marathon meets burning man for cheesemongers and turophiles. It is a celebration of the cheesemonger because they are the last stop before the cheese goes home and a most critical step in caring, sharing and pairing cheese with people. The Cheesemonger Invitational brings together cheesemongers from around the world to educate and calibrate. We invite every currently employed cheesemonger to participate.
Learn more at www.cheesemongerinvitational.com
Source: The Cheesemonger Invitational
