Winter Artisan Cheese Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 10, 2011

Photos available upon request – call 707-935-7960 or email sheana@vom.com

Inaugural Rolling of the Cheeses Kicks Off Sonoma Valley Cheese Conference

SONOMA, Calif. –  Get ready to roll, Sonoma. The Eighth Annual Sonoma Valley Cheese Conference - an annual gathering of the artisan cheese industry – kicks off Feb. 27 with a celebrity cheese rolling contest. Dozens of renowned chefs, award-winning cheesemakers and local officials will roll their favorite cheeses, vying for eternal fame and fortune, as well as the epic title of “Big Cheese.”

Hosted by Sheana Davis of The Epicurean Connection in Sonoma, Calif., the Inaugural Rolling of the Cheeses starts at 1:30 p.m. during the Cheese, Beer and Wine Tasting at The Mac Arthur Place in Sonoma. Tickets are $25 at the door and include a chance to roll cheese from a custom-made ramp in the gardens of The MacArthur Place. The event will be held rain or shine and wraps up at 3:30 p.m.

Celebrity contestants scheduled to roll their favorite cheeses for coveted cheese trophies include:

• City of Sonoma Mayor Laurie Gallian vs. Sonoma Police Chief Brett Sackett and Supervisor Valerie Brown
• Justin Wangler, Chef Kendall Jackson Estate vs. Chef John Stewart, Black Pig Bacon, Zazu & Bovolo
• Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman's Creamery, vs. Mariano Gonzalez, Fiscallini Cheese Company
• Marilyn Wilkinson, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board rolling Carr Valley Cheese, vs. Jacquelyn Buchanan of Laura Chenel Cheese
• Wisconsin Cheesemaker Chris Roelli vs. Rainbow Grocery Coop

Everyone who purchases a ticket to the Cheese, Beer & Wine Tasting will also have a chance to participate in the cheese rolling through an on-site drawing.  Winners will take home Epicurean Connection cheese baskets and gift certificates.

For more information, visit www.sheanadavis.com or call 707.935.7960.