Queso Diego will be putting on the Epic Cheesemaking Competition, which will be judged at the September 17th meeting. This competition is open to all paid club members (and anyone who joins as a member prior to the competition). The Best of Show winner will have the unique opportunity to produce a full-scale production batch of their cheese at CheeseSmith, which will be sold to the public. Proceeds from the competition and sales of the winning cheese will go to the Anvil of Hope Foundation.
Join us at our May Meeting on Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30pm at AleSmith (9990 AleSmith Ct, San Diego, Ca 92126)! We will be meeting in the BARREL ROOM (please bring a lawn chair).
At this meeting, we have several features:
EPIC Cheese Competition! (We will have an Epic Cheese Competition as part of our September Meeting. Peter Zien and a panel will be judging, and the cheese deemed Best of Show will have the opportunity to make their cheese professionally with Peter at CheeseSmith! We will cover details of this competition and answer questions you may have)
The History of Cheese (This main presentation by Marci will cover the evolution of cheese from its origins, which evolved more out of necessity, to modern-day cheeses we enjoy today, as more of a luxury. Along the way, we will also do some taste testing ranging from fresh cheese to dessert cheese)
Cypress Grove Cheese Ambassador (Hear from Club Member Lisa, who is a Cypress Grove Cheese Ambassador! And we will have a 3 pound Humboldt Fog cheese wheel to sample! And there may be swag given out…)
Logistics:
We’re meeting in the BARREL ROOM (walk in the main entrance, past the main bar and gift shop, which leads to the Barrel Room
Upon arrival, please check-in at the check-in table
Please set up your potluck item (and we have labels and label stands, grab a sharpie and label what you bought
BRING A LAWN CHAIR (anytime we meet in the Barrel Room, don’t forget your lawn chair). Optionally bring a jacket
Members are encouraged to bring homemade cheese or potluck item or beverage. If alcohol, only homemade alcohol is allowed (NO COMMERICAL ALCOHOL). Better yet, enjoy some of the tasty AleSmith beverages!
Potluck/socializing beginning at 6:30pm, and the meeting at 7:00pm
Finally, Members, if you need anything from the Library of Cheesemaking, please email your request by May 17, for delivery at the meeting on March 21. Be sure to check the list of offerings and send an email to QD-Library-Request@googlegroups.com.
The meeting starts at 6:30 PM with sharing of cheese (homemade or otherwise) and cheese-friendly foods, homemade alcoholic beverages, and any other food or non-alcoholic beverage you would like to share. AleSmith beer is available for purchase (no other commercial alcoholic beverages can be served at the brewery).
At 7:00 PM we start the formal meeting with a summary of past and upcoming club events and meeting plans and we always provide a chance to talk about your homemade cheeses and to discuss cheesemaking and answer cheese-related questions.
This month’s will feature multiple mini-presentations.
First, Marci Richards and Jenny Eastwood will provide important information about competing in the SD Fair Cheesemaking Competition and discuss the process of cheese judging.
Next, Chris Banker will present on cheese caves and how to make your own.
Following Chris’ presentation there will be time for members to discuss their favorite cheesemaking gadgets (please keep presentations to a couple of minutes and one powerpoint slide, if you need it). Please make sure to tell us if you are bringing a gadget to share on the RSVP form.
Please remember to bring a chair and wear something warm as we meet in the brewery, which can be chilly in the winter.
If you haven’t paid your 2018 dues, please be prepared to pay $20 for individuals or $30 for a family to our new Membership Officer, Olaf Walter.
Congratulations to Queso Diegan’s who took home many awards from the Cheesemaker’s Rodeo at the San Diego County Fair. Club members took home 20 ribbons and our own Jessica Voytek took home the Best of Show for a beautiful blue cheese. Thanks to Earl Itrich for all his efforts organizing the event and to Jenny Eastwood for recruiting qualified judges and providing training to those without professional experience. Photo credits to Larry Stein.
July 1 – Queso Diego’s Cheesemakers Rodeo Contest
Fresh
First – Patricia Zervic, San Diego
Second – Christian Banker, Oceanside
Third – Curt Wittenberg, Encinitas
Brined
First – Larry Stein, San Diego
Second – Shane Webber, San Diego
Third – Christian Banker, Oceanside
Bloomy Cow Brie, Camembert, Triple Crème
First – Curt Wittenberg, Encinitas
Second – Jessica Voytek, San Diego
Bloomy Goat
First – Sabine Friedrich-Walter, Escondido
Second – Clifford Slatton, Los Angeles
Third – Jessica Voytek, San Diego
Blue Mold
First – Jessica Voytek, San Diego
Second – Curt Wittenberg, Encinitas
Soft/Semi-Soft
First – Larry Stein, San Diego
Cheddar and American Style
First – Marci Richards, San Diego
Second – Clifford Slatton, Los Angeles
Hard (aged)
First – Curt Wittenberg, Encinitas
Second – Clifford Slatton, Los Angeles
Flavored Cheeses, Butter & Cultured Dairy Products
First – Sabine Friedrich-Walter, Escondido
Second – Christian Banker, Oceanside
Third – Jessica Voytek, San Diego
Open
First – Jessica Voytek, San Diego
Second – Curt Wittenberg, Encinitas
Third – Christian Banker, Oceanside
The May Queso Diego Meeting will focus on Entering Cheese into the SD Fair. We will discuss the competition, judging, categories, entry requirements, and provide some tips for maximizing your chances of taking home some ribbons and prizes. Feel free to bring cheeses to be evaluated by some of our experienced club members.
Queso Diego May Meeting
Tuesday, May 17 @ 6:30PM
AleSmith Brewery
9990 AleSmith Court
San Diego, CA 92126
We will be in a room off to the side of the Tasting Room – you can enter through an exterior door on the left of the main entrance. Meetings are free, but we highly recommend bringing something tasty to share and joining as a member for $20/year. Please bring a chair to sit on. Outside alcohol is not permitted.
