Wisconsin Cheese Originals is partnering with the Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison to present a February 11 Program from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. called WI Love Cheese! Cost to attend is $10 and includes a 90-minute program featuring the story of how cows saved Wisconsin. Ed Janus, author of Creating Dairyland; and Cheesemaker George Crave, of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese will both be featured speakers. Samples of Crave Brothers' cheeses will be presented to all attendees. Register to attend before Feb. 8 by calling 608-264-6555, or visiting shop.wisconsinhistory.org
Enjoy a monthly evening of cheese tasting and storytelling with Jeanne Carpenter, Founder of Wisconsin Cheese Originals. Each class costs $22 and seats must be reserved in advance. Classes each include a tasting and storytelling of four Wisconsin artisan cheeses, a glass of wine, and appetizer. Meet at the Firefly Coffeehouse, 114 North Main Street in downtown Oregon, Wis., just 10 minutes south of Madison. Classes begin at 7 p.m. Attendees should arrive by 6:45 p.m. to pick up the evening program and get seated. Each class limited to 20 attendees.Check out the full class lineup and register at www.wicheeseclass.com.
Taste some of the world's best cheeses, meet a dozen international cheese judges, some of Wisconsin's finest cheesemakers, and witness the final round of judging in the 2012 World Championship Cheese Contest. Both international and Wisconsin cheeses competing for gold medals in the World Championship Cheese Contest will be prepared exclusively for attendees to taste. These cheeses will be fresh from the judges' evaluation, arriving from nations ranging from Argentina to Ireland to Australia. Tastings offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the Championship Round of Judging beginning at 7 p.m. Held in the elegant ballroom of Monona Terrace, this event is open to only 400 attendees, with all tickets sold in advance. A cash bar and appetizers will be featured. Tickets are $25 and on sale now at www.cheesecontest.com
Spend Friday touring Wisconsin farmstead dairies and cheese plants. That evening, attend the annual Meet the Cheesemaker Gala Reception, where you'll meet 35 Wisconsin cheesemakers, taste 150 different artisan, farmstead and specialty cheeses, and have the opportunity to purchase your favorites. Saturday offers a morning keynote speaker, luncheon, and a stunning line-up of afternoon tasting seminars held at Monona Terrace. On Saturday evening, experience a culinary sensation at one of a several participating Madison restaurants, and join a featured cheesemaker at a private dinner. Learn more here:www.wicheesefest.com
