Sonoma, CA – Laura Chenel’s Ash-rinded Buchette, which means ‘small log’ in French, was a top winner in the overall cheese category for the West Region at the 7th annual Good Foods Awards Ceremony & Reception in San Francisco this evening. Presented with the prestigious Good Food Awards honor for its category by Alice Waters, the renowned Berkeley chef, restaurateur, and activist, was only fitting as Ms. Waters was one of Laura Chenel’s first chèvre customers over 35 years ago.
The brand’s 4.5-ounce ash-covered Buchette is a delicate, soft-ripened chèvre reminiscent of the traditional Geotrichum-rinded goat cheeses from France’s Loire Valley. Dusted with thin a layer of vegetable ash, a recognizable, grey, wrinkly surface develops while the cheese ages over the course of 8 – 12 days before being carefully packaged in its protective wooden vessel. During the aging process, a creamline forms beneath the tender, edible rind which contrasts beautifully with the more dense, chalky center which imparts a light, tangy taste.
A California original, Laura Chenel’s Ash-rinded Buchette’s is made using only fresh, pasteurized goat’s milk from nearby farms in the western region of the U.S. Similarly, the brand’s Original Buchette, which is not covered with ash but left natural, develops a more piquant chèvre flavor as the cheese ages. Laura Chenel’s line of aged cheeses also includes other award-winning products such as Taupinière, Crottin, Goat Brie, and Tome.
Unlike many food competitions that focus solely on superior-tasting products, the Good Food Awards is very comprehensive, taking into consideration not only the tastiness of the product, but the practices that a producer embodies as well, ensuring that the winners are socially and environmentally responsible.
“It is this common philosophy that we share with the Good Foods Awards – that truly good food not only tastes great, but respects the environment and community in which it operates – is what makes us so proud to be recognized tonight,” noted Philippe Chevrollier, General Manager of Laura Chenel’s and Marin French Cheese. “To obtain the Good Food Awards honor is a reflection of our continued commitment to making highest quality of handcrafted goat cheese products in a sustainably conscious manner, sourcing local ingredients whenever possible,” Chevrollier concluded.
Visit our Booth #5022 at the Winter Fancy Food Show from January 22 – 24, 2017.
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About Laura Chenel’s
Laura Chenel’s was founded in 1979 by goat cheese pioneer Laura Chenel and upholds a long tradition of European-style artisan cheesemaking using fresh goat milk from family-raised goats in California and Nevada. A leading producer of fresh and aged goat cheeses, its products are sold nationally and regularly earn top honors. In 2013 the company was awarded LEED Gold status for energy efficiency in its state-of-the-art Sonoma creamery. For a complete list of Laura Chenel’s awards visithttp://www.laurachenel.com/awards/.
Source: Laura Chenel’s