Every year the ACS puts on a conference and this year it was in beautiful Burlington, Vermont. Weather was perfect for August (compared to Houston) as my Irish friend Helen Henning and myself flew in over Lake Champlain for a four day meeting at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel. We didn't know what to expect as this was our 1st conference and had signed up for as many seminars as we could. Over 1000 entrees of artisan cheeses were here from all over the United States as well as most of the producers who were anxious to see if they were part of the celebration of winners for this 2007 Annual Cheese Judging and Competition.
The Festival of Cheese held on Saturday evening was the big finale were all attendees and cheese enthusiasts have the opportunity to revel in the tasting of so many cheeses. Poor Helen and I tried our best to make it through the banquet room eating as much as we could, but were just cheezzed out! We longed for a dinner of something other than cheese! You have to understand that each seminar we attended had so much cheese to sample and paired with either wine, beer or other accomplishments which went on for three days. It was quite the experience meeting the cheesemakers, the authors and many food people we knew. Next years conference is set in the windy city of Chicago and look forward to meeting new cheesemakers and I think tasting more cheese!!
