More than a dozen nationally renowned speakers and Wisconsin cheesemakers will present a wide array of tasting and educational seminars at this fall’s Third Annual Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival.

The seminars, set for between Noon – 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, will take center stage at the Third Annual Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival, a two-day event that draws more than 1,000 cheese lovers from around the country, all of whom descend on Madison for a weekend of tours, seminars, dinners and the popular Meet the Cheesemaker Evening Gala.

Tickets go on sale in September. Seminars are each limited to 32 participants and range in price from $20 - $35. The line-up of seminars & speakers includes:

• Cheese Making 101: So you think you want to be a cheesemaker? Cheese Technologist Dean Sommer from the Center for Dairy Research covers the fundamental principles of the art and science of cheesemaking.
• Wisconsin Artisan Cheese & Scotch Paring: Spirits Master at Vom Fass USA, Greg Long, proves artisanal scotches are just as good as pairing with artisanal cheeses as wines and beers. Explore four scotches and four cheese pairings.
• A New Era for Wisconsin Cheddar: Cheesemakers Tony Hook and Joe Widmer are ushering in a new era of specialty Cheddars. Taste four aged Cheddars, ranging from 2 to 12 years, moderated by Steve Ehlers, of Larry’s Market.
• Wisconsin Artisan Cheese & Rum Pairing: Coming all the way from Los Angeles, Barrie Lynn – The Cheese Impresario presents a fresh perspective on cheese pairings with four different Wisconsin artisan cheeses and four different rums.
• Creating Dairyland: A Conversation About How Cows Saved Wisconsin: Author Ed Janus talks about how caring for cows saved Wisconsin’s soil, created our landscape, brought prosperity to our state and still shapes our way of life. Cheesemakers Sid Cook and George Crave join Ed in the conversation and bring their favorite cheeses to share.
• Wisconsin Artisan Cheese & Craft Beer Pairings: Explore why pairing artisan cheeses with craft beers is such a hot trend. Chef Sara Hill will lead a tasting of six different Wisconsin cheeses and six different micro-brews from Wisconsin.
• International Cheeses Vs. Their Wisconsin Counterparts: Wisconsin artisan cheeses win more awards than any other state, but how do they compare against their international counterparts? Taste and compare six different cheeses with Fromagination owner Ken Monteleone.
• Wisconsin Artisan Cheese & Wine Pairings: Experience tells us there are natural partners in certain wines and cheeses. Wine connoisseurs Jady & Gisele Grad will lead a tasting of four wines with four exclusive Wisconsin cheeses.

Additional cheese festival events include all-day Friday farm and creamery tours, a Friday evening Meet the Cheesemaker Gala, Saturday farmer’s market tours with lunch at Fromagination, and ten different Saturday evening Cheesemaker Dinners at  participating Madison Originals restaurants.

Tickets for all events go on sale to members of Wisconsin Cheese Originals on Sept. 12, with remaining tickets available to the public one week later. Visit www.wicheesefest.com to learn more.

Wisconsin Cheese Originals thanks the sponsors of the Third Annual Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival, including: Gold-Level sponsors Klondike Cheese, World Import Distributors, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; Silver-Level sponsors BelGioioso Cheese, Dairy Business Innovation Center, Emmi Roth USA, Fromagination, Organic Valley, Uplands Cheese; and Bronze-Level sponsors Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, Edible Madison, Fromartharie, and Meister Cheese.

Tickets to the popular Meet the Cheesemaker Gala, part of the Third Annual Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival, will go on sale to the public on Monday, Sept. 19, offering attendees the chance to meet 35 cheesemakers and taste more than 150 of the state’s finest artisan, farmstead and specialty cheeses.

Set for Friday, Nov. 4 at the Monona Terrace in downtown Madison, tickets to the Meet the Cheesemaker Gala will be available Monday morning online at www.wicheesefest.com. To accommodate more attendees, the Gala will be ticketed a bit differently this year, offering two different time slots, from 6 to 8 p.m., and 8 to 10 p.m. Each session will be limited to 250 attendees, allowing everyone to personally meet and greet cheesemakers in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

New this year, cheese will be offered for sale by Metcalfe’s Market in a room adjacent to the Gala. Attendees should come ready to taste and then purchase their favorite cheeses.

For a complete line-up of all cheeses, companies and cheesemakers attending the event, visit: http://www.wicheesefest.com/meet-the-cheesemaker

The Friday evening Meet the Cheesemaker Gala is just one of a wide array of events taking place during the annual festival. Other events, most of which have already sold out to members of Wisconsin Cheese Originals, include: three different creamery and dairy farm tours, ten cheesemaker dinners, and eight tasting and educational seminars.

Wisconsin Cheese Originals thanks the sponsors of the Third Annual Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival, including: Gold-Level sponsors Klondike Cheese, World Import Distributors, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; Silver-Level sponsors BelGioioso Cheese, Dairy Business Innovation Center, Emmi Roth USA, Fromagination, Organic Valley, Uplands Cheese; and Bronze-Level sponsors American Cheese Society, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, Edible Madison, Fromartharie, and Meister Cheese.

Celebrate the first ever national American Cheese Month with a Wisconsin artisan cheese and beverage pairing event to benefit the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF). Hosted by Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) and Marion Street Cheese Market, the festivities include a guided tasting featuring cocktails by Death’s Door Spirits, beers by Goose Island Brewery, and Wisconsin artisan cheeses such as the award-winning Pleasant Ridge Reserve (Uplands Cheese Company), Bandaged Cheddar (Bleu Mont Dairy), Casa Bolo Mellage (Carr Valley), Dunbarton Blue (Roelli Cheese Haus), and Tilston Point Blue (Hook’s Cheese Company) among others which are all available for sale throughout October at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine and Marion Street Market. This event will be held at Kendall College. The donation is $20 per person.

For ticket information, contact Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine at www.pastoralartisan.com or 773-472-4781; or Marion Street Cheese Market at www.marionstreetcheesemarket.com or 708-725-7200.

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine will host free Wisconsin cheese in-store demos and tastings in October at the following locations:

Wednesday, October 12 with Saxon Creamery (Cleveland, Wisconsin), 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Loop, 53 East Lake Street)

Thursday, October 13 with Seymour Dairy (Seymour, Wisconsin), 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Chicago French Market, 131 North Clinton Street) and from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Lakeview, 2945 North Broadway) 

Friday, October 14 with Hollands Family Cheese (Thorp, Wisconsin), 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Chicago French Market, 131 North Clinton Street)

The Eagle River Revitalization Program (ERRP) is proud to announce the Eagle River Area Festival of Flavors scheduled for August 27–28, 2011. This premier event will showcase Wisconsin products, local goods and culinary artisans, Wisconsin wineries and cheese producers, plus the healthful aspects of food and fitness.  All activities will be held at the Riverview Park, north of the pedestrian bridge and downtown Eagle River. 

Stop by the Celebrate the Taste of Wisconsin Tent both days and chat with representatives from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, watch a cheese carver at work, and sample and purchase award-winning cheeses directly from the producers.  Also be sure to stop by the Celebrating Wisconsin Store and pick up complimentary recipes.  A Kids' Cheesehead Creations Contest, sponsored by Northwoods Children's Museum, will include several interactive events as well as presentations from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Wisconsin Dairy Council.

For a complete listings of all the activities, visit www.eaglerivermainstreet.org and click on Festival Details.

The Wisconsin State Fair Park Foundation is hosting its first-ever All Star Blue Ribbon Tasting, celebrating dozens of Wisconsin specialty meats, artisan cheeses and award-winning spirits on Saturday, July 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Expo Center at State Fair Park. Only 400 tickets will be sold.  Attendees will taste more than 30 Wisconsin State Fair blue-ribbon specialty meats and cheeses, paired with complimentary award-winning Wisconsin beers and wines, plus a special State Fair dessert table featuring the fair's world-famous Cream Puffs.

The All Star Blue Ribbon Tasting is a fundraiser for the Wisconsin State Fair Park Foundation. Proceeds help support youth programming and scholarships. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.  Tickets may be purchased at https://www.wicheesefest.com/store/buy-stuff/all-star-blue-ribbon-tasting.

The Elegant Farmer is combining cheese, trains and apple pie in a brand new event on Saturday, June 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. You're invited to ride along with three 2011 U.S. Champion Cheesemakers on the beautifully restored, vintage East Troy Electric Railroad's Dinner Car. The two-hour round trip departs and returns to The Elegant Farmer Depot in Mukwonago, traveling through the woods and charming town settings of Mukwonago and East Troy, Wis. On board sharing their stories and cheeses will be: Katie Hedrich, LaClare Farms, showcasing her U.S. Champion goat's milk Evalon; Paula Homan, Red Barn Family Farms, sampling Heritage Weis Cheddar; and Brenda Jensen, Hidden Springs Creamery, sampling her soft and hard sheep's milk cheeses. Tickets are $35 and include on-board samplings of cheeses, cheesemakers' talk, accompanying beverages, a dessert tasting featuring Red Barn's signature milk paired with a slice of The Elegant Farmer's famed Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag, and a take home goody bag including cheeses and an individual apple pie.

The train is available for boarding at 12:30 p.m. and departs promptly at 1:00 p.m.  Parking is free and ample at The Elegant Farmer. Any questions, please contact Debby at The Elegant Farmer, dmccready@elegantfarmer.com or (262) 363-6771, or visit www.elegantfarmer.com.

On June 24-25, 2011, the Audacious Beer and Cheese celebration will be hosting small beer and cheese pairings at various locations in Delafield.  Each flight of beer and cheese will be presented by the cheesemaker and brewery. Attendees will be able to learn more about the history, traditions and process from the artisan and have an experience few rarely are able to enjoy.

The following is the list of breweries and cheesmakers who are scheduled for Friday, June 24, beginning at 6:30 pm.  Attendance will be limited to 20 attendees.

Carr Valley Cheese & Merchant duVin Brewery @ Delafield Hotel
Saxon Homestead Cheese & Van Berg and DuWulf Brewery @ Hawks Inn
Roelli Cheese & Founders Brewery @ Reveres Wells Street Tavern
Edelweiss Cheese & Capital Brewery @ Reveres Wells Street Tavern
Seymour Cheese & Great Lakes Brewery @ Reveres Wells Street Tavern

After the Friday sessions conclude, plan to attend the Audacious Beer & Cheese Celebration at Nixon Park in Hartland. The 180 foot tent will feature 11 world class beers on tap, four pack samplers, specialty food venues, live music and fireworks at dusk. This fun village event is open to the public.

On Saturday, June 25, from 3:30-6:00 pm at Nixon Park in Hartland, 16 breweries and eight cheesemakers will have a grand tasting for 200 attendees who will sample and be able to purchase the very best artisan cheeses at the eight cheesemaker tables.  Each cheesemaker's table will be flanked by a brewer's table. Tasting glassware, brochures explaining tasting guides, suggested pairings, cheesemakers and brewer map, a silent and live auction will also be wrapped into this Rotary sponsored fund raising celebration.

After the tasting is over, the tent will be open to the public and the food vendors, tap handles and live music will round out the evening at the Night of the Barrels Party from 6:30-11:30 pm.

For more information, visit www.audaciousbeers.com.

To celebrate its second year in business, downtown Milwaukee’s The Cheese Bar invites the public to a Grand Anniversary Party on June 18, complete with complimentary Wisconsin cheeses, local beers and gourmet sandwiches.  Located at 1048 N. Old World 3rd Street, The Cheese Bar just happens to be turning two on the longest night of the year. Starting at 6 p.m., the local business will celebrate its Summer Solstice birthday by featuring complimentary selections from its new Wisconsin cheese menu and new taps from its Wisconsin beer selection. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment, as well as complimentary cheese, beer, gourmet sandwiches and cured meats.  “We’re looking forward to throwing a birthday party and pairing two of Wisconsin’s finest products: cheese and beer. I guarantee that The Cheese Bar will be the place to be on June 18,” said Ken McNulty, Owner of Wisconsin Cheese Mart.

The Cheese Bar is part of The Wisconsin Cheese Mart, a Milwaukee landmark since 1938. During the past 70 years, the locally-owned business has grown from a small cheese shop to one of Wisconsin’s leading cheese retailers. The Cheese Bar offers guests the unique opportunity to try their favorite Wisconsin cheese paired with Wisconsin beer and wines from around the world.

The Wisconsin Cheese Mart searches out the best cheeses from throughout the state of Wisconsin, carrying more than 200 varieties. It also ships cheese to all 50 states. All gift baskets including nothing but authentic Wisconsin Cheese. For more information, visit www.wisconsincheesemart.com.

June Dairy Month farm breakfasts and dairy events are held throughout Wisconsin. Find the full list of events at:

www.TheDairyDifference.com.

Events are added by the individual host groups as the details are finalized so check back often!

Join the Friends of Dane County Farmers' Market for the first 2011 School on the Square this Saturday, May 7.  On the first Saturday of each month, Friends of Dane County Farmers' Market will host a featured local chef who will demonstrate two or three dishes made from ingredients found at the Dane County Farmers' Market.  Attendees will walk away with recipes, information on the market vendors who provide the ingredients, as well as a new found excitement to go home and cook up something amazing made with market ingredients!

The first chef demo of the year will feature Chef Tory Miller from L'Etoile and Graze.  This recent James Beard award nominee will delight the participants with delicious dishes made from  the classic Wisconsin ingredient - CHEESE!  Chef Tory's demo will start at 12 noon in the courtyard of Graze (US Bank Building on South Pinckney Street).  Look for the red tents.

The Friends of Dane County Farmers' Market has many new partners this year including the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, L'Etoile and Graze, and the UW Nelson Institute.

For more information, contact Sarah Elliott at friends.sarahe@gmail.com

Join the National Mustard Museum for a celebration of golden goodness on Friday, April 29, 2011. While the Royal Wedding over in England on the same night will celebrate the union of Prince William and Kate Middleton, this crowning affair in Middleton, Wisconsin, will honor the most recent medal-winning mustards from the 2011 World-Wide Mustard Competition.

In addition to the presentation of medals to the winning mustard makers, the event will include the Iron Mustards Chefs Challenge which will feature area chefs creating a dish using a gold medal-winning mustard. Taste these culinary creations as well as award-winning Wisconsin cheeses with other local goodies and beverages.  Master Wisconsin cheese carver, Troy Landwehr, will work his wonders with Cheddar (courtesy of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board).  If you don't know Troy Landwehr, he is the "Chagall of Cheese," the DaVinci of Dairy," and the  "Renoir of Rennet."  Catch him on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=R0bQh2ipARI.

Tickets are $60 per person. You can order online (we will hold your tickets here at the Museum), by phone, or at the National Mustard Museum.  The number is 1-800-438-6878 (Madison area: 608-831-2222).

More details are to come for this mustard awards event, but plan to attend An Evening of Mustard Royalty, the first-ever fundraiser for the newly nonprofit National Mustard Museum.   Visit www.mustardmuseum to find out more!

Join Wisconsin Cheese at the Madison Craft Beer Week which runs from Friday April 29 through Sunday May 8, 2011 and features a wide variety of events highlighting Dane County’s vibrant craft beer culture. MCBW 2011 will feature beer dinners, festivals, rare bottle tastings, cheese pairings, brewery tours, classes, movies, and more – there is truly something for everyone, from novices to connoisseurs.

Madison Craft Beer Week is an annual celebration promoting Madison’s thriving craft beer culture, enhancingbeer knowledge and appreciation by sponsoring a ten-day (two weekend) countywide festival that attracts beertourism, fosters knowledge of our regional brewing heritage, and serves as a showcase for the Madison area’sbreweries, restaurants, pubs, caterers, retailers, entertainers, and other businesses with ties to the craft beercommunity. Craft beer lovers will have the opportunity to attend events ranging from beer dinners and foodpairing to beer walks, bar promotions, brewery parties and plenty more!

For a list of the events, go to http://www.madbeerweek.com/event-guide2.

Which do you think are the 25 Best Cheeses of Wisconsin? You're invited to taste the favorites selected by Wisconsin Cheese Originals at an April 16 evening gala at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison.

Set for 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Evjue Commons, inside Olbrich Botanical Gardens at 3330 Atwood Avenue, the gala will feature 25 of the state's top artisan and specialty cheeses. A limit of 200 advance tickets will be sold. As part of admission, each attendee will receive an exclusive and numbered art print, created specifically for the event and suitable for framing. The piece showcases original art and a glamour shot of the 25 Best Cheeses of Wisconsin, with wheels and wedges from 25 different cheesemakers.

Attendees can expect to taste an array of award-winning Wisconsin cow, sheep and goat’s milk cheeses, including Evalon, a farmstead goat’s milk cheese made by LaClare Farm and just named 2011 U.S. Champion. Also featured will be Pleasant Ridge Reserve, the 2010 Best in Show cheese at the American Cheese Society. The full list of cheeses will be unveiled at the event.

Tickets are $35 and are on sale now at www.wisconsincheeseoriginals.com. The event will feature complimentary appetizers by Bunky’s Cafe and a cash bar.

Join the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board at the Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Experience on March 5-6, 2011, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm both days at Target Field in Minneapolis.  Attendees will enjoy gourmet fare, sample cheeses from 14 different Wisconsin cheese companies, sample more than 350 fine wines and more than 75 specialty beers, and enjoy the dramatic views in the warmth and comfort of the Metropolitan & Legends Clubs of Target Field.

This intimate venue will give you access to winemakers, craft brewers, and local chefs. Come and discover new favorites, learn tips of the trade, and make your next dinner reservations. Tickets are limited, so purchase yours today. All proceeds benefit Minnesota Public Radio.

In addition to the main show at Target Field, be sure to check out other Food & Wine events including the Champion's Club Wine Dinner, Wine Lunches at Kitchen Window and Forepaugh's, a Wine Dinner at Kitchen Window, and Washington State Wine seminars. Separate tickets are required for these special events. For more information go to www.foodwineshow.com.