Recent Stories with tag cheese

[UPDATE: Giveaway is over.] "Due to the large volume of visitors we are experiencing--since our "World's Best" Mac & Cheese became a favorite of a certain TV talkshow diva--we are currently offering a limited version of our website," explains Beechershandmadecheese.com. 

Turns out the "World's Best" Mac & Cheese from Beecher's is a claim Oprah might stand behind. To celebrate the sudden fame, Beecher's is giving away--that's free, folks!--hot dishes of mac & cheese until close of business (6 p.m.) today, November 19. You have three locations to choose from: their Pike Place store, Pasta & Co. at University Village, and Bennett's Pure Food Bistro on Mercer Island.

'Scuse us. Gotta run.

The American Cheese Society is having its annual convention at the end of August, right here in Seattle; Michael Pollan will be keynoting. They're mixing things up a little by inviting the public to their awards ceremony and Festival of Cheese, held at Benaroya Hall on Saturday, August 28, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

To publicize the cheesemonger Main Event, Beecher's owner Kurt Dammeier invited an assortment of foodies, bloggers, and media to the Pike Place store for a preview, and regaled us with stories and cheeses: "I'm Kurt Dammeier, and I'm the founder and owner of Beecher's Handmade Cheese. Middle name, Beecher, hence the name of the store."

Dammeier has been involved with the Cheese Society for five years, and is the board treasurer. "We now have over a thousand members," he said proudly. "Nearly every American cheesemaker of note will be attending this event." About 320 difference cheesemakers have entered their products into the competition.

As co-chair, Dammeier shares most of the responsibility for how this Benaroya Hall festival goes. Normally the awards ceremony is an industry event, on a separate night. But Dammeier thinks it'll be a bit of a thrill to see which cheeses win, and then have the chance to go meet the cheesemakers and taste the award-winners:... (more)

Tillamook’s Loaf Love tour is making a stop in Seattle, and the welcome party is at Capitol Hill's Po Dog (1009 East Union Street), purveyors of fine hot doggery and dog-related accoutrement. Here is everything you need to know wrapped up in a tidy cheese package:

For one hour only–5 p.m. to 6 p.m.-on August 5th, 2010, Po Dog restaurant, Capitol Hill location, will offer free Tillamook-themed hot dogs, "The Mac & Tillamook Cheese Dog," in celebration of Tillamook’s Loaf Love Tour, the first ever cheese tour comprised of three refurbished VW buses designed to look like baby loafs of cheese, arriving in Seattle and rolling around until August 16th. In addition to free hot dogs, the Loaf Love Tour will be handing out free cheese samples, coupons, buttons & more to help spread the love of tasty cheese to the people.

We couldn't make this stuff up. Further details: The VW buses are 1966 vintage, and cheese is delicious. You can probably still eat it even if you are lactose intolerant. Tillamook is a cooperative. They're 101 years old. They also make ice cream and butter. But their cheddar is what gets you. You probably don't realize how good you have it, cheddar-wise. You can eat too much cheese, I'm told. Moderation in all things, even the extra sharp.

David Swidler is eating, drinking, and cooking his way through all 32 World Cup countries, much like he does at his site cookingvssports.com.

When I planned this out a few weeks ago, the South American teams were excelling and the Europeans were disappointing. So, knowing very little about soccer (or anything really), I thought it would be fitting to end with South America.

Of course the final two rounds of the tournament were dominated by the Capri pants-wearing continent, so I am going to spin things this way: Since I started this project with the World Cup's host, let's end it with 2014's, the country of Brazil.

Many people think of South America as a haven for drug dealers, flesh-eating fish, and rich American students riding llamas up mountains. I don't know if this is true, as I've never traveled south of Holgate Street; however I do know there must be a lot of socialists, death panels, and Subarus down there, because the continent produces a ton of wine and cheese.... (more)

Three cheeses at last night's opening reception, courtesy of Willis Marketing

The two comforts that get me through the traumatic religious mess that is the Christian Holy Week in April are mass quantities of mimosa and the cheery thought that the Seattle Cheese Festival is nearing once again. The Cheese Festival is a corridor of fermented and fresh dairy product worship that takes over Pike Place Market for two days every May.

Much cheese is tasted (for free); much cheese is sold at often remarkable prices. This year's festival is taking place today and tomorrow, and I strongly recommend that you join me in observing it as an annual nigh-unto-religious holiday. 

There are French cheesemakers with deep tans and sweaters knotted around their shoulders, cajoling you to sample this stinky delectable mess or that creamy goat-milk concoction. There are rotund British cheesemakers who carefully watch your eyes as you sample their family Stilton.

There are slight, red-haired wives of cheesemakers from Montana (I met one last night at an opening Festival reception) who will tell you how much they enjoy raising their animals; the way she brags about her family's feta and chevre will convince you on the spot to visit a Metropolitan Market as soon as possible to procure something from Amaltheia Organic Dairy for tasting purposes. And there is an affordable, shaded wine garden.

Sounds better than Maundy Thursday, am I right? [Ed.: UP TOP!]

At the opening reception, held upstairs in DeLaurenti at the Market, highlights for me were a beautiful mellow, nutty cheese called Gran Queso from Roth Kase, a Gorgonzola Dolce from Ambrosi, and a refreshing watermelon, feta, and mint salad. A note on the salad, which I'd only read about in food magazines until last night: I was skeptical until I actually put a bite into my mouth, and now it's all I want to eat this summer. I also drank my share of an Italian white wine, a Vigne Nuovo Trebbiano D'abruzzo from Valle Reale, which I'm also planning to purchase and drink all summer long.  ... (more)