Since October is National Cheese Month, it's fine time to "Meet the Cheeses" at Central Market, where, in addition to their standard vast collection, they're hosting a few classes.
For the industrious cheese devotee, Allison Hooper is in town to host a class this Thursday, October 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., called "In a Cheesemaker's Kitchen." Hooper got her start in cheese as a college student when she randomly wrote to French farmers asking if she could spend the summer working with them. With no experience to offer, she vowed hard work. A family in Brittany took her up on the offer, which set into motion her life-long journey in European artisanal cheese-making. Now she has her own farm and owns the Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery.
In her class on Thursday, Hooper will explain some background in cheese making, and demonstrate a few dishes like a baked Bonne Buche and a spinach-mascarpone stuffed chicken breast. The class cost $45 and includes a copy of Hooper's new book, appropriately titled In a Cheesemaker's Kitchen.
For those in agreement that a grilled cheese sandwich is the best comfort food of all time, this Friday, October 14, the CM Cooking School will have a lunch-time class from noon to 1:00 p.m. covering a few melt-a-licious sandwiches like a "French Croque Madame," which is grilled ham and Gruyere with an egg. They'll also make a Spanish manchego with jamon serrano. There's even a dessert sandwich with goat cheese ice cream and roasted red cherries. Outside of a nap, this has to be the most productive way to spend a lunch break.
On Monday, October 17, Cécile Delannes will host a class on French cheeses, which will all be paired with French wine and cider. Dalannes is the Ambassadress of the French Cheese Club which is an association of five family-owned French fromageries. Delannes was raised in the largest cheese-producing region of France and while she probably won't be making sandwiches, we're sure she has some pointers.
