June CheeseBytes: Looking Ahead & Reflecting on the Past

La Moutonni�re

For many North Americans, meat comes on a Styrofoam tray, bread comes from a plastic bag, and cheese comes in a pretty plastic package -- and all of these come from a giant building called a supermarket.

Montr�al is not immune to this trend, but one of the joys of being in a city so heavily influenced by its French roots is the ability to shop in stores which specialize in meat -- or bread -- or cheese. Here, the boucherie, boulangerie and fromagerie (butcher, baker and cheesemonger) are still very much a part of the food scene. But in Montr�al, even large supermarkets are great places to find local artisan cheeses and specialty food products. Just as an example, Louise M�nard's IGA store, a five minute walk from the Westin Montr�al, is an eye-opener for those who might not guess just how different a supermarket can be when customers have food wired into their DNA.

When I tried to make a list of really good fromageries in the city, I got to 21 and had to stop counting!

I know I keep saying this, but it's that French influence again. Montr�al is a city with French origins, and the French understand the importance of food. They believe that food should stay as close to its origins as possible, so a fromagerie remains just one degree -- or at most two degrees -- of separation from the cheesemaker. They understand that cheese is alive, and as with all living things, it will grow and change with time. Only a true fromagier ensures that cheese remains healthy during its life span -- which should end only with that first tasting, the prelude to purchase.

I'm sharing my list of fromageries in Montr�al - click here to learn more, and see how many you can visit during your stay!

SAVOR

On June 3-4, ACS staff traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in SAVOR: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience. Along with representatives from member cheesemakers, ACS staff sampled artisan cheeses and accompaniments to 4,000 attendees over two nights. Thanks to all who participated! See a list of the cheesemakers and other artisan producers whose products were sampled at the event by clicking here.

See a slideshow of photographs from SAVOR here, on the ACS Facebook page.

If you are a producer and would like to have your products showcased by ACS, consider sending your cheese or accompanying products for the ACS booth at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival, which will be held from September 29 - October 1 in Denver, Colorado. Contact Rebecca Sherman Orozco to learn more about opportunities to participate.

Highlights of this year's conference include: