A Night of Cheese

I recently hosted a truly magical evening at Silly Goose Farm. With the help of my friend Eric Paul (aka The Cheese Traveler), I invited a group of fellow foodies to the farm for an intimate evening of cheese! The "Night of Cheese" was  a six-course cheese tasting (with full beverage pairings and accouterments) that went beyond the normal parameters of a "tasting" and broke into workshop territory. I think the attendees learned more about cheese than they ever thought possible! Eric explained how each cheese was made and the style and history of each offering, plus suggested other potential pairings and the best practices for assembling a cheese plate. Our tasting focused on the sweeter side of cheese and opened minds to the power of cheese for dessert!

I set the table simply - white linens, my collection of Bell Flower china and mismatched silver flatware, new and vintage stemware, and a recent acquisition of antique Anchor Hocking green glass tumblers. Menu cards were wrapped around each napkin, and I made itty-bitty notepads that I fastened to the inside of the menu cards so that guests could write down tidbits of information from the evening. White tulips in old salt and pepper shakers and lots of (unscented) candles finished the table.

The menu of the evening was as follows:

First Course: Fresh Goat's Milk Cheese (Coach Farms, Pine Plains, NY), Cuvee M (Non-Vintage, Mumm Napa, Rutherford, CA), Candied Orchids

Second Course: Eclipse (R&G Cheesemakers, Cohoes, NY), Sancerre (2010, Domaine Des Vieux Pruneirs, France), Orange Marmalade, Toasted Pistachio

Third Course: Manchester (Consider Bardwell Farm, West Pawlett, VT), Ommegang Witte (Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY), Walnut Praline

Intermezzo: Lemon Sorbet

Fourth Course: Battenkill Brebis (3-Corner Field Farm, Shushan, NY), Syrah (2008, Magnificent Wine Company, Columbia Valley, WA), Fresh Pear with Balsamic-Steeped Cherries

Fifth Course: Rupert (Consider Bardwell Farm, West Pawlett, VT), Cornelius Applejack (Harvest Spirits, Valatie, NY), Chocolate Chantilly

Sixth Course: Seaver Brook Blue (Bonnieview Farm, South Albany, VT), Tawny Port (10 Year, Churchill's Portugal), Buckwheat Honey

The night was really amazing! I had the best time planning and prepping with Eric, and based on the responses of the attendees, everyone had a phenomenal time! To learn more about what The Cheese Traveler is about, what he is up to, and where he is going, please be sure to visit him on Facebook!

I'll be posting about the details of each course (with recipes!) this week, so stay tuned for more cheesy goodness.