California Artisan Cheese Festival

If you ever thought cheese was meant to come in rubbery, precut slices packaged in plastic wrap, then do yourself a favour and experience this extraordinary event showcasing some of the world’s premier cheese-makers and of course, a chance to sample their unforgettable cheeses. 

This three-day event, located in a Northern California region with a long history of dairy cows and creameries, covers cheese-making and eating from just about every angle. And we are talking about really good cheese. Look for perfectly tangy blue cheese from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, rich and smooth Red Hawk from Cowgirl Creamery or decadently creamy and aromatic Camembert from Marin French Cheese Company.

You can join guided tours of local farms and cheese-making facilities, attend lectures on cheese pairings with local wines, beers and ciders, learn cooking techniques and vote for your favourite cheese nibbles in light-hearted “Best Bite” competitions. A special marketplace includes chefs’ demonstrations, book signings and plenty of free, cheesy samples.