Before the competition there is, the education!
We are proud to be Gold Level sponsors of the Cheesemonger Invitational so we can share who and what Essex St Cheese is.
These two days are only for the competitors but for those that are competing, look forward to being the first to try something new!
The Cheesemonger Invitational (CMI) is the ultimate celebration of cheese- a truly unique event that unites industry insiders, passionate cheesemongers, and cheese enthusiasts for an unforgettable experience. Often hailed as the "Olympics of Cheesemongering," CMI showcases the finest cheesemongers in the field, who compete in a thrilling live finale that challenges their skill, knowledge, and creativity with cheese.
But the Cheesemonger Invitational is more than just a competition; it’s an all-out cheese extravaganza! The event gathers many of the world’s most celebrated cheesemakers and specialty food artisans under one roof, creating an incredible tasting experience. Guests can sample extraordinary products from around the globe, try inventive cheese bites created by our competitors, and, of course, eat as much cheese as they desire.
With an engaging stage show, party atmosphere, live competition, and an abundance of cheese to savor from the finest cheesemakers and artisans in the world, The Cheesemonger Invitational is not to be missed. It's truly one of the most exciting celebrations of cheese you will ever experience. We can't wait to see you there!
THE JOURNEY OF CHEESE WITH KATIE PARK
Katie Park from Essex St. Cheese will take us through the full arc of cheese — from selection to monger and all the magic and logistics in between. And yes, she's bringing cheese!!!
CMI & ACS EXAM TALK
We'll also use the evening to discuss upcoming CMI and ACS CCP/CCSE exams. CMI alums will be on hand to share their experiences and tips, alongside CCPs and CCSEs ready to answer your questions.
What is the Mongers Collective? Glad you asked!
• We are a collective of cheesemongers, shop owners, and turophiles who want to make the DMV one of the foremost areas of cheese knowledge and offerings.
• We offer our members and colleagues educational and professional opportunities — workshops, trainings, outings, and more.
• Our goal is to build an exceptional community of cheesemongers and turophiles: to network, to learn, and to share our love and knowledge of cheese.
Greece has one of the world's oldest and most exciting wine and cheese cultures in the world, and we're diving in deep this month. Opa!
We'll taste five Greek wines and five extraordinary cheeses while exploring the history, geography, and pairings that make this food culture so compelling. Think two remarkable fetas, one from the sun-drenched Isle of Lesbos and one from the dramatic highlands near Mt. Voras in northern Greece and more. We'll also include all the classic accompaniments to pull it together.
Hosted at Bold Fork Books next door on Friday June 5. 6-7.30PM
For this class only, we will be joined by Katie Park from Essex Street Cheese, a renowned importer with deep, firsthand relationships with cheesemakers and agers. Katie brings an amazing depth of knowledge to these iconic cheeses and the stories of the makers behind them.
Join us at Agnes to learn from Dario Lladó, manager of Quesèria 1605, and taste through cheese and wine from the famed Finca Sierra de la Solana.
Co-hosted by Gourmet Imports, this casual meetup is free to attend and open to mongers and cheese industry professionals. We will hear from Dario about the cheesemakers, shepherds and animals who bring us this world-class farmstead manchego.
In addition to sampling Manchego 1605, Sierra la Solana Trufado and Venta la Ossa Tempranillo from the farm, we will enjoy light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages from Agnes. We are also delighted to welcome Giacomo Cravero, son of Giorgio and Barbara Cravero of Cravero Parmigiano Reggiano.
Please RSVP to Erik Dorey (Essex) erikdorey@essexcheese.com or Alex Brown (Gourmet Imports) alex@gourmetimports.com and indicate the number of attendees in your party.
Get tickets.
The have-to-be-there, FOMO-inducing, adrenaline-pumping cheesesplosion. Public welcome.
Registration is closed.
Private event for education at the Cheesemonger's Invitational.
Katie Park will be in New Orleans with St. James Cheese sharing stories of traveling directly to the producers to select our cheeses.
Buy your tickets here.
At our “Meet the Maker” event, Thassia Koster of Fromagerie L’amuse will talk about selection and affinage at Fromagerie L’amuse through the lens of Pril and Signature goudas.
At our “Meet the Maker” event, Thassia Koster of Fromagerie L’amuse will lead a discussion about selection and affinage at Fromagerie L’amuse through the lens of Pril and Signature goudas.
RSVP here.
At our “Meet the Maker” event, Thassia Koster of Fromagerie L’amuse will lead a discussion about selection and affinage at Fromagerie L’amuse through the lens of Pril and Signature goudas.
RSVP here.
Private event for education at the Cheesemonger's Invitational.
You eat a cheese that has the same name as one you have tried before, yet it tastes wildly different. Why is that? Let Rachel Juhl from Essex St. Cheese share how cheeses with the same name can taste radically different. This class explores a handful of classic European cheeses Essex offers and participants will learn about the animals, the people, and the landscapes they come from.
Tickets are $60 each and can be purchased here.
This event is SOLD OUT.
We are here to show you a goud-a time! Tell your friends and follow us on a proverbial boat ride to the Netherlands to our fun and interactive gouda tasting!
Truckle Cheesemongers September Cheese Club is featuring Essex Comté and celebrating with a whole wheel cracking done by our very own Leah Lewis! Grab your cheese club box and head to Truckle on September 19 at 6pm to get a fresh taste of this gorgeous cheese!
Become a Cheese Club Member here.
Join us at The Barnyard on August 15 for a behind-the-scenes look into our selection process with our own Chief Educator, Juhl. She is bringing with her samples of cheeses hand-selected at the sources to bring you into the caves during a buying trip, to show which the reasoning and principles used to select batches that make it to the US and those that get left behind.
Buy your ticket in advance for $20.
We are coming into town with Dario Llado, head of sales of Queseria 1605, for a whirlwind tour of the Northeast but we want to kick it off with you on Monday, July 15th. Dario will be sharing the story of the farm, the creamery, and the caves. Then Dario and Chief Educator Juhl will guide you through a horizontal tasting of their cheeses.
This is a professionals only event and space is limited so RSVP is required.
Join us on Monday, June 24 in NYC where you can converse directly with members of the Essex Cheese League. Even submit questions in advance to be answered live here.
This event is open to industry-professionals only. RSVP via katelind@bedfordcheeseshop.com.
Get tickets.
The have-to-be-there, FOMO-inducing, adrenaline-pumping cheesesplosion. Public welcome.
Registration is closed.
Private event for education at the Cheesemonger's Invitational.
It may be April Fool's but this class is no joke.
Can you tell an artisan cheese from a commercially made cheese? Chief Educator Juhl will be at Fairfield Cheese Company on Monday, April 1st, to teach attendees how to differentiate artisan cheese from its commodity doppelgangers.
Tickets available here.
If you’re a cheesemonger in the Bay Area, come on by for an after work bevvy to network in a casual environment with Jess Perrie and your industry colleagues. She will be at Standard Deviant with Sam Chertoff of Tomales Bay Foods on Tuesday, October 17 at 6pm.
Join us for an extra special cheese-centric event at the Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, on Tuesday, September 26th. You and your fellow cheese enthusiasts will be treated to an eight cheeses paired with 4 beverages, highlighting a special selection of Essex Street Cheese and Neal's Yard Dairy cheeses, hosted by our own Jess Perrie and Austin Peeler of Neal’s Yard Dairy.
The have-to-be-there, FOMO-inducing, adrenaline-pumping cheesesplosion. Public welcome.
Private event for education at the Cheesemonger's Invitational.
The best cider we've ever had.
The best Parmigiano/Gouda/Manchego/Comte we've ever had.
The pairing event you simply can't miss!
Our friends at Talbott & Arding in Hudson, NY have invited us for a wonderful pairing event! Join us at Rose Hill Farm's stunning taproom for this very special guided tasting, featuring Rose Hill's farmhouse ciders paired our cheeses. Rose Hill cider/winemaker Matt Sanford will lead the tasting alongside Essex St's Juhl. Matt and Juhl will guide you through a 5 pairings, as selected by the Talbott & Arding cheese team. This promises to be a very fun and delicious evening! Tickets available here!
Please note this event is 21+
Head of Education Juhl has called in 2019 recipient of the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award, Ann Campbell, to present her findings on ancient cheesemaking techniques in the Mediterranean. She will be joining the lineup alongside Leigh Harding of Jasper Hill Farm and Yvonne Yeoh of Neal’s Yard Dairy.
This event is open to all Chicago-area customers of Zuercher Cheese & Co . It is $10 to join which will be a direct donation to the Daphne Zepos Teaching Endowment to further fund more scholarships and online webinars.
Space is limited to 30 guests so please purchase your ticket by 5pm on Thursday, March 23rd.
Join us for an extra special (in person!) cheese-centric dinner at the Greyline, an event space by Zingerman’s Deli, on Tuesday, March 21st. You and your fellow cheese enthusiasts will be treated to a 3-course meal highlighting a special selection of Essex St cheeses including Comté from Marcel Petite, Manchego 1605, and Pril and Brabander from L’amuse. And because we know how well cheese and wine go together, local wine shop Ground Control Wines is curating wine pairings, one for each course, available as an optional add-on.
Tickets vary from $85-$135 per person. Learn more and purchase here.
Joined by Jasper Hill Farm and Neal’s Yard Dairy for an educational event in Detroit. This class is open to all members of the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses . It will highlight an interactive tasting of six cheeses that are inspired by traditional recipes but taking into account modern technologies, economic pressures, and sustainable agricultural practices. There is no cost to join but RSVP is required by sending an email.
Joined by Jasper Hill Farm and Neal’s Yard Dairy for an educational event in Detroit. This class is open to all Detroit-area customers of Zuercher Cheese & Co . It will highlight an interactive tasting of six cheeses that are inspired by traditional recipes but taking into account modern technologies, economic pressures, and sustainable agricultural practices. There is no cost to join but RSVP is required by sending an email.
The have-to-be-there, FOMO-inducing, adrenaline-pumping cheesesplosion. Tickets are limited.
Private event for education at the Cheesemonger's Invitational.
