Chicago, Illinois – Together with the American Cheese Society (ACS), Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine celebrates American Cheese Month in October, the second annual national celebration of American artisan cheese and the farmers, cheesemakers, purveyors and chefs who bring American artisan cheese to the table. Throughout the month of October, Pastoral will collaborate with the American Cheese Society (ACS), plus farmers, cheesemakers, purveyors and chefs throughout the region to host a variety of special events, free tastings, fundraisers and exclusive offers that celebrate the quality and craftsmanship of American cheese.
The American Cheese Society (ACS) created the first ever American Cheese Month in October 2011 to recognize and raise awareness of the quality and diversity of American cheeses; to support and promote well-made cheese, local foods, family farms, traditional cheesemaking methods and sustainable production models; and to help generate funding for the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF) which educates people about the art and science of artisanal and specialty cheese. American Cheese Month is now held annually each October, with special events and promotions planned in cities across the country.
“The burgeoning artisan cheese movement in North America inspired us to open Pastoral back in 2004, and we continue to be delighted and motivated everyday by the growing number of American artisan cheesemakers from regions throughout the U.S. who now receive not only national acknowledgment, but international recognition and awards as well,” said Greg O’Neill, co-founder of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine and president of the American Cheese Society. “During this second annual American Cheese Month, we’re especially eager to spread the word on the quality and craftsmanship of American cheesemakers and create dialogue on sustainability, eating locally and supporting traditional cheesemaking practices.”
In celebration of American Cheese Month 2012, Pastoral is hosting free in-store tastings with award-winning Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company (California), Uplands Cheese Company (Wisconsin) and Consider Bardwell Farms (Vermont). In addition, Pastoral has added a special sandwich to the menu in October—The Greenfields—created by Chrissy Camba, inaugural chef at the new Bar Pastoral slated to open later this month. The Greenfields special sandwich features Greenfields washed rind cheese from Saxon Homestead Creamery in Wisconsin, Prosciutto San Daniele, prosciutto cotto from Creminelli Fine Meats, pear jam with ginger from Quince & Apple and whole grain Dijon mustard on a baguette. 15% of each sale of The Greenfields sandwich, along with 15% of each sale of the Great Ladies of Cheese Medley at Pastoral, will support the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award which is an annual scholarship awarded to a USA-based cheese professional who uses the funds to travel, learn and further his or her education on cheese. The scholarship was created in memory of Daphne Zepos who was the founder of Essex Street Cheese Company and the owner of the Cheese School of San Francisco. Pastoral customers are also invited to donate directly to the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award and the ACEF at Pastoral’s web site, pastoralartisan.com, and in-stores.
Also as part of American Cheese Month 2012, Pastoral will co-host an exclusive dinner on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, with Chef Jason Vincent at Nightwood and featuring Saxon Homestead Creamery’s Jerry Heimerl. More information and all event tickets are available at pastoralartisan.com or by calling any store location.
TO SUPPORT THE AMERICAN CHEESE EDUCATION FOUNDATION (ACEF) AND THE DAPHNE ZEPOS TEACHING AWARD, visit any Pastoral store location throughout October and make a contribution in the donation box displays.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AMERICAN CHEESE MONTH 2012, visit pastoralartisan.com or call Pastoral at 773-472-4781. A full calendar of local events to celebrate American Cheese Month is also available at all Pastoral store locations (2945 North Broadway; 53 East Lake Street; Chicago French Market, 131 North Clinton Street).
FULL CALENDAR OF AMERICAN CHEESE MONTH SPECIAL EVENTS, FREE TASTINGS, FUNDRAISERS AND OCTOBER-ONLY OFFERS WITH PASTORAL ARTISAN CHEESE, BREAD & WINE—ALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
MEET THE AMERICAN CHEESEMAKER—Dinner with Saxon Homestead Creamery’s Jerry Heimerl, sponsored by Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine and Nightwood
Wednesday, October 24, 7:00 p.m. (Nightwood, 2119 South Halsted Street, Chicago)
In celebration of the second annual American Cheese Month and to support the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF), Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine and Chef Jason Vincent of Nightwood together host Meet the American Cheesemaker—Dinner with Saxon Homestead Creamery’s Jerry Heimerl. $90 per person, including a four-course dinner and wine pairings. Price also includes 20% gratuity. $5 of each ticket sale will support ACEF. Menu features a first course of bitter fall greens, fermented melon, peanut and Saxony; second course of Snowfields and date dumplings, cabbage, sage and fresh cayenne; third course of Farfalle, Greenfields, salami and anchovy ragu; and fourth course of Big Eds grilled cheese with tomato and apple jelly. Purchase tickets at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, online at pastoralartisan.com or call 773-472-4781.
FREE TASTINGS AND DEMOS WITH AMERICAN CHEESEMAKERS AT PASTORAL IN CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN CHEESE MONTH
Thursday, October 25
FREE tasting / demo with Consider Bardwell Farms (Vermont)
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Chicago French Market, 131 North Clinton Street)
Friday, October 26
FREE tasting / demo with Uplands Cheese Company (Wisconsin)
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Loop, 53 East Lake Street)
Saturday, October 27
FREE tasting / demo with Consider Bardwell Farms (Vermont)
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Loop, 53 East Lake Street)
Saturday, October 27
FREE tasting / demo with Consider Bardwell Farms (Vermont)
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Lakeview, 2945 North Broadway)
Note: Additional free tastings may be scheduled ongoing throughout the remainder of October. Visit pastoralartisan.com for regular updates.
SPECIALS FOR OCTOBER AT PASTORAL
Purchase The Greenfields sandwich or The Great Ladies of Cheese Medley anytime now through October 31, 2012, and 15% of each sale will support the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award which is an annual scholarship awarded to a USA-based cheese professional who uses the funds to travel, learn and further his or her education on cheese. The scholarship was created in memory of Daphne Zepos who was the founder of Essex Street Cheese Company and the owner of the Cheese School of San Francisco.
The Greenfields Sandwich, $10
The Greenfields special sandwich features Greenfields washed rind cheese from Saxon Homestead Creamery in Wisconsin, Prosciutto San Daniele, prosciutto cotto from Creminelli Fine Meats, pear jam with ginger from Quince & Apple and whole grain Dijon mustard on a baguette. The Greenfields was created by Chrissy Camba, inaugural chef at the new Bar Pastoral slated to open later this month.
The Great Ladies of Cheese Medley, $44.99
Inspired by the illustrious forerunners of America’s artisan cheese movement, many of which were women, each cheese featured in this medley is a masterpiece of a talented contemporary female cheesemaker. Medley includes Evalon (Wisconsin), Picolo (California), Grayson (Virginia) and accompaniment Gracious Gourmet Spread (Connecticut). Packaged in an environmentally friendly kraft box with festive craft fill and tied with a signature Pastoral ribbon and an informative insert describing each artisan product, the stories and people behind them and how best to enjoy the products together.
# # #
PASTORAL LOCATIONS AND HOURS
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine – Chicago French Market
131 North Clinton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661
312-454-2200
Hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine – Loop
53 East Lake Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
312-658-1250
Hours:
Monday – Friday 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine – Lakeview
2945 North Broadway
Chicago, Illinois 60657
773-472-4781
Hours:
Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Shop 24/7, 365 days per year at Pastoral’s online store: pastoralartisan.com
About Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine
Pastoral, a venture of Pastoral Enterprises, LLC, is a European-inspired, authentic neighborhood cheese shop, offering the highest quality fine and artisan cheeses from America and around the world, select small production wines and freshly baked breads along with a full complement of related items such as charcuterie, olives and other accompaniments. Pastoral also offers custom gift collections, gourmet sandwiches and salads, picnics and catering. The company was founded in 2004 in the East Lakeview area of Chicago and was named in 2007 as one of six Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT). For more information or to shop online, visit pastoralartisan.com
About the American Cheese Society (ACS)
The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation and promotion of farmstead, artisan and specialty cheeses produced in North America. More than 1,500 members strong, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development and networking opportunities to cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts and extended industry. ACS strives to continuously raise the quality and availability of cheese in North America. Since its founding in 1983, ACS proudly hosts North America’s foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition. For more information, visit cheesesociety.org
About American Cheese Month
American Cheese Month is an annual celebration of America’s diverse artisan, farmstead and specialty cheeses—and the farmers, cheesemakers, distributors, retailers, cheesemongers, chefs and educators who bring them to the table. Created by the American Cheese Society, American Cheese Month will be held annually each October, with special events and promotions in cities across the country. The goal of the month-long celebration is to raise awareness of the quality and diversity of American cheeses, as well as to increase support for family farms, traditional cheese production methods and sustainable production models. Revenue from select American Cheese Month events will support the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF). For more information, visit americancheesemonth.org
About the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award
Daphne Zepos Teaching Award which is an annual scholarship awarded to a USA-based cheese professional who uses the funds to travel, learn and further his or her education on cheese. The scholarship was created in memory of Daphne Zepos who was the founder of Essex Street Cheese Company and the owner of the Cheese School of San Francisco.
About the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF)
The American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF), the American Cheese Society’s sister organization, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to educate people about the art and science of artisanal and specialty cheese. ACEF is eligible for foundation and federal grants, and may receive tax-deductible donations from individuals or businesses in support of existing and new educational efforts. ACEF funds cheesemaker scholarships to the ACS Conference and supports other educational activities of ACS that are designed for members of the cheese community. For more information, visit cheesefoundation.org
PASTORAL ARTISAN CHEESE, BREAD & WINE
Web site: http://pastoralartisan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastoralArtisan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastoralchicago
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/PastoralArtisan
Blog—Cheesy Chat with Pastoral: http://pastoralartisan.com/blog
Source: Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine