Saturday Keynote, Lunch & Seminars

Attendees may purchase an all-inclusive Saturday pass providing VIP access to a full day of tasting and talking about Wisconsin artisan cheese. Includes morning keynote, elegant lunch in the Grand Terrace, and two afternoon seminars, including one pairing session. In addition, all Saturday events are available at ala carte prices, ticketed individually.

10:30 AM Keynote: Laura Werlin & The State of American Artisan Cheese

In 2013, the festival is excited to welcome Laura Werlin, one of the country’s foremost authorities on cheese and award-winning author of six books on the subject. An expert in cheese and wine pairing and American artisan cheese, Werlin is a James Beard award winner and is known for her books on America’s favorite sandwich – grilled cheese. Her book, Great Grilled Cheese, was the winner of the World Gourmand award for best cheese book in the world. Laura has been featured on CNN, the Martha Stewart Show, the CBS Early Show, as well as in People Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. She is a regular contributor to such national magazines as Food & Wine, Fine Cooking, Saveur, and Cooking Light.

11:30 AM Lunch

All paid attendees may enjoy an elegant, sit-down lunch served in the Grand Terrace.

1:00 – 2:30 PM European Traditional Cheeses vs. Wisconsin Original Cheeses

All VIP attendees will enjoy this afternoon seminar comparing and contrasting European traditional cheeses to Wisconsin original cheeses. Led by Sara Hill, of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and Jonathan Richardson of Columbia Cheese, a New-York-based importer of single-dairy cheeses from Switzerland, Bavaria, Denmark and Italy.

3:00 – 4:30 PM American Artisanal Cheese with Craft Beer or Brandy Pairing Adventures

Choose one of two cheese pairing seminars celebrating the best of American artisanal cheeses. Learn more about American Artisanal Cheese & Craft Beer with national food writer Janet Fletcher, of the San Francisco Chronicle, or go on a American Artisanal Cheese & Brandy Adventure with Barrie Lynn, The Cheese Impresario. Either way is a win-win.

VIP tickets: $89
Includes morning keynote, luncheon, European vs. Wisconsin seminar and your choice of pairing sessions.

A la carte tickets
Morning keynote: $25
Luncheon: $20
European vs. Wisconsin cheese seminar: $30
American artisanal cheese & craft beer pairing seminar: $45
American artisanal cheese & brandy tasting adventure: $45