Registration Begins for the Four Cheese Making Classes
to be held at the Second Annual Finger Lakes Cheese Festival.
Finger Lakes, NY -- The second annual Finger Lakes Cheese Festival is slated for Saturday July 27 from 10:00am-5:00pm at Sunset View Creamery in Odessa, NY, which is five miles outside of Watkins Glen. And due to the popularity of the cheese making classes last year, event organizers have added additional seating and class times to accommodate all aspiring cheese makers.
"Last year people were very disappointed when they couldn't get a seat in the classes because they filled up so quickly," explains Carmella Hoffman of Sunset View Creamery, the Cheese Trail farm that will host this year's event. "So we're hosting the classes in my production room this year, which accommodates more people, and added an extra class so everyone who wants to try their hand at cheese making has the opportunity."
The hands-on cheese making classes will run at 11:00am. 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 3:30pm, and are limited to 15 people per class in order to allow for one on one time with the instructor, top area cheese maker Tom Pinello. Cost for the hour long class is $30 per person and includes a cheese making kit. People can also register as a pair for $50 if they are willing to share a cheese making kit. Pre-registration is required via email. Interested attendees should email flxcheesetrail@gmail.com with their name(s) and time slot choice. They will receive a confirmation email in return. Then, the day of the Cheese Festival, "students" simply need to report to the registration table and pay a half hour before their class starts.
The Finger Lakes Cheese Festival will be an opportunity to "tour the entire Finger Lakes Cheese Trail" in just one stop. All the creameries of the Trail will be present, sampling and selling their cheeses, along with a wide array of local farms, food producers and artisans. There will be BBQ available for purchase, live music all day, a wine and cheese pairing demonstration led by Master Sommelier Holly Howell and cooking with cheese demonstrations led by top regional chefs. The family friendly event will also include Barnyard Olympics, hay rides, farm tours, games and contests by local 4H groups and the NYS Dairy Princesses, and even a mechanical bull riding contest.
Local exhibitors and sponsorships are still being accepted as well. Interested businesses are asked to email the Trail at flxcheesetrail@gmail.com for exhibitor kits or sponsorship packets.
# # #
About the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail
The Finger Lakes Cheese Trail is comprised of 13 working, family dairies throughout the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. They offer a variety of artisan cheeses, including cheddars, goudas, chevres, brie and jacks. While a few of the farms do not have visitor hours, most do and encourage visits throughout the year. Trail members’ cheeses are available at their farms, local shops and farmers markets, and several wineries and restaurants throughout the Region. Each year, the Trail hosts Open Houses at their farms, and encourages the public to come visit and tour the farms. This year's Open Houses are Saturday June 8; and Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13 (Columbus Day Weekend) They also participate in many community and Regional events throughout the year. People can learn more about the trail at www.flcheesetrail.com or on their Facebook page, Finger Lakes Cheese Trail.
