Most food holidays start with "National." National Tequila Day and National Rum Day have both been marked on City of Ate in recent months. Tomorrow is National Taco Day, and if you're inclined you can refer to this calendar, which demonstrates nearly every day of the year is devoted to a specific food.
I was thrown off when I found out that October is American Cheese Month, which invokes cellophane wrapped pasteurized cheese slices, canned cheese sauce, and cheese food. It actually refers to North America's delicious and diverse craft cheeses.
Like craft beer, wine, and other foods Americans brought from the old world to streamline, simplify and preserve, craft cheeses have been experiencing a resurgence. On the heels of food pioneers like Alice Waters and Mark Bittman, America's passionate cheese makers have turning out examples that stand on a world stage.
To mark the occasion Scardellos is hosting an American Cheese Celebration, offering tastings of 10 their favorite American cheeses for $10 this weekend. Or you could head to Deep Ellum's Mozzarella Company for a more hands-on fun with fromage. A wine and cheese pairing class is offered October 13th, and on the 29th a cheese-making class is offered. And Central Market has Allison Hooper, from Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery, talking about her new book In a Cheesemaker's Kitchen.
Here are the details of how you can celebrate cheese this month:
Scardello's American Cheese Tasting Saturday, October 8 2pm-5pm $10
Mozzarella Company Wine and Cheese Pairing Classes Thurs October 13 6:30-8:30 pm $50
Hands-on Cheesemaking Classes Sat October 29 6:30-8:30 pm $75
Central Market Allison Hooper, Co-Founder, Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery, Author Thu, Oct. 13 6:30 PM $45
