The 2nd Annual Cheese Festival

A Benefit for Columbia County Bounty

For those of you who were lucky enough to get a reservation to last year's Cheese Festival, elegantly hosted by Kim Bach of Verdigris Art and Tea, and thrown by Paul Poux of Select Events Marketing, you already know what a fabulous event it was. By popular demand it has been moved to the new Deffebach Gallery, which will be able to accommodate twice as many wine and cheese lovers as last year. The event sold out very quickly, and is expected to again this year, so for those who waited to reserve or showed up at the door and were disappointed, contacting the Chamber of Commerce immediately will guarantee you a spot at the 2nd Annual Cheese Festival - chefs, farmers, writers, eaters, restaurateurs, food groupies of all stripes - come all!

Paul, who is a professional special event organizer with a weekend home in Kinderhook, fell in love with Columbia County in large part because of the gorgeous scenery of our open, rolling farmland. Organizing this event and making Columbia County Bounty (CCB) the beneficiary because of their work supporting local farmers, is his way of contributing to the local agricultural economy which, in turn, helps to ‘buy the view' we all love so much.

Two years ago Lori Selden of Mexican Radio and Chef David Robinson of Bezalel Gables found themselves sitting next to each other at the Chamber's Annual Agricultural Breakfast, wondering why they had to travel to New York City to get everything from lamb to chili peppers for their businesses – products that were being grown in their own backyard here in Columbia County. That conversation was the spark that led to the creation of Columbia County Bounty, initially conceived as a Business to Business forum, matching farms with restaurants, CCB expanded their focus to include consumers as well. The mission has further grown to include consulting with various community and Farm to Table organizations, as well as actively developing Culinary and Agritourism to the region. Annual membership, which includes free or reduced admission to many farm to plate and plate to farm events throughout the year, is only $25 and supports CCB sponsored networking, educational and outreach activities.

We have a lot to be proud of in Columbia County, but the star of this event is our impressive range of locally produced cheeses. Among the exhibitors are Coach, Ronnybrook, Old Chatham Sheepherders, and Hawthorne Valley Farms. Olde Hudson will be in attendance with a generous offering of international cheeses. A wide variety of cuisine will be shown off by some of our best local restaurants including DA/BA, Gigi Trattoria, Local 111, Mexican Radio, Red Dot, Swoon, The Red Barn, and Vico Restaurant & Bar. What cheese-centric event would be complete without spirits to enhance the dance of flavors on the palate? A fine selection of wines and beer from our own Chatham Brewery will be on hand to complement our regional delicacies. The event also includes a Silent Auction and every guest will go home with a gift bag filled with all manner of goodies from our sponsors and exhibitors.

So, for a lovely and delicious way to while away a winter afternoon, join us for The 2nd Annual Cheese Festival, which will be held over President's Day Weekend, Sunday, February 17th from 2 till 5 at the newly rehabbed, light filled Deffebach Gallery, 135 Warren Street . Tickets are $40 and we expect them to sell out quickly, so please reserve as soon as possible by either contacting the Chamber at 828.4417, or Verdigris Art and Tea, 828.3139, or Select Events Marketing, 212.217.1951. For more information, visit the website www.hudsonvalleycheesefestival.com.

Other upcoming Bounty events featuring our homegrown treasures are the Chamber's Annual Agricultural Brunch on March 12 th at Space 360. Tickets are $15 and the event is open to all. Last year's brunch was very well attended and saw the launch of Columbia County Bounty. Our annual Farm to Chef and Chef/Eater to Farm Tours are educational, fun and, as always, delicious excursions. These tours are not only a great opportunity to see nooks and crannies of the county you might not normally find, but also to meet the people who are growing our food and protecting the rural quality of life we all enjoy by their continued commitment to farming. Last summer's Bounty of the County Supper, which was arguably THE best ‘Foodie' party of the year in the Hudson Valley, will be expanded this year to become “The Taste of the Columbia County Bounty”. The banquet which was prepared by some of our finest culinary talents with food donated by our local farmers, was some of the most creative and certainly the freshest food to be had anywhere - not to mention the idyllic setting, the opportunity to mingle with growers, their families, the chefs and a guest list that read like a who's who in New York State– all set against the back drop of a perfect August evening. The ‘Taste of' event is a late summer harvest party that no self respecting Locavore would want to miss. The dates for the tours and ‘Taste Of' events are yet to be scheduled. The 3d Annual Chili Cook Off & Riverfront Fair will be Saturday Oct 4th, a welcome refueling respite during all there is to do and see during Artswalk.

CCB functions under the auspices of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and for more information about attending, participating and membership please give them a call at 828. 4417.