Every year, in some wonderful city in the US, the American Cheese Society holds its annual conference. The most recent was in the beautiful town of Austin, Texas. And while we were unable to attend the event because we were busy building the Pairings Wine & Cheese website and business, we have had the pleasure of tasting some of the winners of the competition held during the conference.
Cheese makers from all over the US—casual to corporate—submit what they believe to be their best cheese ever to compete for the coveted “Best of Show” title. This year there were 1327 entries and who won? Rogue Creamery’s Rogue River Blue.
I served this award winning cheese at an event recently and completely understand why it received the top nod. The night I served it, the flavors were amazing. The “blue” was not sharp or shocking to the palate as some blue cheeses can be, but mild and long lasting. This cheese has been added to my list of “must haves” when shopping for cheese to serve on the cheese board, added to salads, or melted over a grass-fed beef burger grilled to a juicy medium-rare and served on a toasted kaiser roll. But, in the words of one of my favorite bloggers, I digress….
Back to the ACS award winning cheeses; at the event mentioned above I also served the cheese that placed 2nd overall in Austin. This particular cheese is (and has been for years) my “go to” cheese when entertaining. The Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk has got to be one of the most interesting of the cheeses produced by the Cowgirls. It will make any refrigerator smell like a 12 year old baseball player’s gym locker—but don’t let that deter you. There is no hint of that aroma on the palate. This triple cream cheese is so delicious and full of flavor it is indescribable! You simply have to taste it.