If the crowd that flocked to Petaluma last weekend for the ninth annual California's Artisan Cheese Festival knows one thing, it's that the North Bay is fast becoming ground zero for all shapes and sizes of lovingly crafted, handmade cheeses. More than 2,700 cheese-lovers gathered at the Sheraton, Petaluma, to sample fromages and wine, vote for chefs' creations in a cheesy battle, visit local farms, and more.
Saturday night's Chefs vs. Chefs event, during which the cooks were challenged to create a vote-winning dish based on cheese, featured many alternatives to cow's milk cheese. Cypress Grove Chèvre's Bermuda Triangle was accompanied by minty mushy peas atop a mini English muffin to snag Oakland's Haven the highest number of votes in the contest. Petaluma's own Pug's Leap Chevre was featured on Rosso's focaccia with caramelized onions and other restaurants, including Nick's Cove and Lincoln Park Wine Bar, all stepped up to the plate.
On Sunday, purveyors of all types showed off their wares: from goat's cheese, to sheep's milk butter, wine from olive oil makers, and cleverly flavored salts. Of course, cheese is not complete without wine, and a handful of local winemakers including VML and Russian River Vineyards, were on hand to offer tastings and suggest good pairings.
Next year's Festival will take place on March 18-20, back in Petaluma. Mark your calendars now.
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