Although Wisconsin has an abundance of fabulous local foods to enjoy, it is—of course—most recognized for its cheese (it has been nicknamed The Dairy State, after all). It should come as no surprise then that there is an entire weekend dedicated to the well-loved dairy product every year.
The 2nd annual Wisconsin Cheese Originals’ Festival celebrates Wisconsin cheese on the weekend of November 5th in downtown Madison. Jeanne Carpenter, Executive Director of Wisconsin Cheese Originals, says that the event “really has become the premier destination for foodies and cheese enthusiasts around the country who want to meet Wisconsin cheesemakers and taste new artisan cheeses. It’s a pretty unique event.” The festival is not for the casual cheese eater. No-no, my friends, this is one cheese-intensive weekend!
Dairy lovers arrive in Madison on Friday to be whisked away to their tour of choice. Bus #1 takes participants to see the ins and outs of the Chalet Cheese Cooperative in Monroe, WI, dine at Baumgartner’s Cheese Store & Tavern, tour the award-winning Emmi-Roth Kase cheese plant in the afternoon, and top the day off with fondue at the Roth Kase culinary center. Bus #2, on the other hand, offers participants a tour of Sassy Cow Creamery, lunch at the Baerwolf dairy farm, and an afternoon of quality relaxation time with some of Wisconsin’s happiest dairy cows. And, if your stomach hasn’t had enough cheese for the day, the evening’s festivities include a three-course dinner featuring cheeses from a local Cheesemaker at some of Madison’s best restaurants (there are EIGHT different restaurants from which to choose—talk about a tough decision!)
Saturday continues with cheese-intensive events; the day starts with a tour of Madison’s famous downtown farmers’ market, where the group is sure to stop at several of the market’s 12 cheese vendors. Participants are then treated to lunch at one of my favorite Madison shops, Fromagination, where one can purchase and sample some of the best cheeses and gourmet foods from around the world. Saturday afternoon takes on a more educational tone, with seminars ranging from “Wisconsin Artisan Cheese & Craft Beer Pairings” to “The Rise of the Woman Farmstead Cheesemaker.” The evening includes a meet-and-greet gala with 35 Wisconsin cheesemakers and over 150 cheeses at the Monona Terrace.
On Sunday morning cheese-lovers can purchase their favorites from the weekend’s tastings. There will be a three-hour artisan marketplace that includes delicious products from Wisconsin cheesemakers, gourmet food companies, and wineries.
Interested in making the trek to Madison for the Wisconsin Original’s Cheese Festival? Tickets for each event can be purchased on the festival’s website.
Katy Radtke is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Growing up in a foodie family spurred her love for cooking (and eating!) tasty food, while her time in Madison has prompted her deep passion for the sustainable and local food movement. When Katy isn’t baking up one of her famous pies, she enjoys doing yoga, perusing one of Madison’s many farmer’s markets, drinking tea at the coffee shop around the corner, and traveling. You can see more of Katy’s work on her blog, A Blissful Bite.
