Cheese 2009: Americans in Italy

American cheeses are about to take Italy by storm -- or not. A select group of artisan cheeses from across the USA will be represented at the world-renowned cheese festival in Bra, Italy. This Slow Food event draws the greatest cheeses and cheesemakers in Europe. It also draws the most discerning cheese lovers.

How will Europeans react to the American cheeses we love?

Follow along in this new blog direct from the American cheese table at Bra. Learn about the cheesemakers. Suffer through the nervous preparation. Cheer as Europeans flock to taste our best -- we hope. Then travel along with Atlanta Foods' Saxon Brown as she explores Italy after the festival.

Sponsored by Atlanta Foods International.

SOLD OUT!

September 20, 2009 - 10:18am | by Saxon Brown

After the last post (today at 2:30), we head down to the fest, to check out the situation. I had left the booth last night (Saturday)around 8 pm, and supplies were dwindling. B and I headed off to dinner in beautiful Serralunga at the base of the castle/fortress/garrison.

But I digress.

Leaving at 8 pm, I knew there were still 3 more hours of sales, so anything could happen on a Saturday night- I estimated upon leaving about 8-10 cases of Red Hawk left, 8 cases of Coupole and 2.5 wheels of Pleasant Ridge Reserve. Having done the late shift the night before (Friday), I knew that sales would continue until late, so I really wanted to go back to check on the state of affairs when we returned to Bra, but all was sealed off when we returned.

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Bra, Italy 2009

More cheese that even I could imagine!

September 20, 2009 - 7:40am | by Saxon Brown

Apologies all around for the lack of posts- this event is overwhelming in size and scope- and it's not just cheese! There's a Beer Hall, and a Wine pavilion with over 900 wines. So, I've just been too drunk to post. (kidding, boss!)

Working the booth is also a different perspective than strolling the town, all decked out in cheese at every turn. I've been unable to see things on the other side of town, but I think tomorrow we'll get over there.

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Bra, Italy 2009

American Cheese in Italy- Rogue River Blue

September 5, 2009 - 8:34pm | by Saxon Brown

Hi Cheeselovers!

For the next 5 blogs, I will be describing the cheeses that we will be exhibiting at Bra. For those that are attending, our Atlanta Foods International booth numbers are B139 and B140, next to the Neal’s Yard Dairy booth. Please come visit us!

Cheese #1: Rogue Creamery’s Rogue River Blue.

When I say cheese #1, this isn’t just a convenient numerical device, or my personal opinion, it’s the fact, jack. Best in Show at the 2009 American Cheese Society Awards last month in Austin, Rogue River Blue took home the blue…. ribbon!

Here’s the RRB story in their own words, they say it best:
“This had crafted raw cow’s milk, blue veined cheese develops a beautiful natural rind as a result of hand turning and tending the cheese several times a week.

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Bra, Italy 2009

American Cheeses in Italy? Absolutely!

August 31, 2009 - 10:57pm | by Saxon Brown

In every business, there are the major trade shows/conferences/events that really distill the best of what that business or industry is about.

For me, my business and passion is artisan cheese, and my iconic event is the Slow Food Cheese Festival in Bra, Italy. This gathering represents all that’s good and wonderful in the world of cheese. I’ve lusted in my heart after this festival since 2001, when I first found this calling while working as a part-time, minimum wage cheesemonger.