Tonight’s Cheese 101 was definitely meant for cheese lovers! 
The class was taught by cheese enthusiast/expert and three-time award-winning Whole Foods specialty team leader Mike Clark of the River Street location in Cambridge. The class included a plethora of information. I learned so much more about cheese than I ever expected!
Background:
- How cheese is made
- Classifications or types of cheese
- Seasons and butter fat
In the Store and at the Table:
- How to buy cheese
- How to eat cheese
- How to serve cheese
We tasted 9 (!!!) different cheeses, including some of Mike’s favorites– from Triple creme goat brie, Rogue River blue, Brie de Meaux, Epoisse, and many more. It was truly the most amazing selection of cheeses ever!
Along with our cheese samples, we had some crackers. I only ate a few– I was much more focused on the cheese! 
I liked all of the cheeses, but my favorites were the Rogue River blue, Epoisse, and Robusto.
The Rogue River blue is a really special cheese. It’s wrapped in grapes leaves, soaked in pear brandy, and it has a nice, strong blue cheese flavor. It was heavenly!
The Robusto is a Gouda cheese made in Holland, exclusively for Whole Foods. Pretty cool, right? It was a semi-hard cheese with a sweet, caramel-y flavor.
The Epoisse is made in Vermont on a “hippie commune,” called Cobb Hill. Cobb Hill is a community of people “living in ways that are materially sufficient, socially and ecologically responsible, and satisfying to the soul.” Very cool!
This cheese was easily my favorite of the night– earthy, sort of grassy, and full-bodied. Delish!
Of course, I needed to snap a photo with the cheese guy himself! (Plus, my friend, Jen, really wanted to meet him! )
After Cheese 101, Jen and I met Mal at The Junction for a drink. There, I ordered a Rogue Mocha Porter. I tried this brew in San Francisco at the Foodbuzz Festival Tasting Pavilion and loved it, so I was excited to see it on the menu tonight.
Mal ordered an Arrogant Bastard Ale! 
Good times at The Junction! 
I’m exhausted. Bed time!
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
my mouth watered the whole way through this post…first the cheese (O.M.G) and then the beer! sounds like a delicious night!
Foodies & cheese…enough said. We had baked brie with local blackberry habenero jelly and bread tonight – yum!
How fun does that look! I love cheese! Beer not so much but CHEESE! YUM!
Gosh – Cheese 101 sounds like my mecca.
I LOVE WF’s cheeses–especially when they have samples out
Yummmmm, a cheese tasting is right up my alley! I’m going to have to look for one at a Whole Foods around here.
Now I want some beer! and cheese! Why is the cheese on aluminum foil? Does it do something for the flavor, or was it just convient. Is it like drinking red wine in a goblet? Should I start serving cheese on shiny plates? I’m not sure why this idea fascinates me, but it does.
Cheese tastings are so yummy. I love to just wander the cheese section and pick up new ones to try.
What fun! I love the stronger cheeses, but really don’t know “how” to enjoy them.
this is my kind of class! i am cheese obsessed. but no italian cheeses?
Wow, what unique bites!
There’s not much better than high-quality cheese! hehehe!
I am definitely going to be on the lookout for something like this at my Whole Foods! You made me want to go out to the grocery store in my pjs to look for some brie!
Mmmm…Love cheese! I went to Whole Food the other day and literally stood in the cheese section taking multiple samples of everything they had for at least 20 minutes. I was stuffed when I walked out. But yummmm…cheese!
Hi Tina! I’ve been following your blog for some time now and I have to say you are such an inspiration… I’m debating joining your Lose the Dough challenge because I really need a jumpstart. I’m glad there are people to follow along with in this to keep me at least a little more accountable. Anyway, I live in Portland and the Rogue beers are made here… if you guys ever come back to Oregon, you should definitely stop by Portland! We have some of the best microbrews in the country!
I had a cheese tasting night too. I’m full, but oddly satisfied – the wine pairing helped my mood I’m sure! I’ve heard of the Robusto – I’d really like to try that one myself!
Oh all that cheese looks so good…..
glad you had fun!
my ultimate cheese is soft goat’s cheese – it’s one of the best foods in the world and goes so well with a sweet chutney
Aaaah, cheese heaven! That’s awesome. Looks delish!
Jenn
Tina, what an opportunity! Everything looks so delish.
Cheese is one of my weaknesses. You lucky duck!
What a cool class!!! mm cheeeese!
Heaven. Purely heaven
Looks like such a fun night! I love cheese!!!
I love arrogant bastard ale! And all that cheese looks a-mazing!
I wish I was more of a cheese eater — I can eat wimpy cheese like mozz or Laughing Cow, but none of the hardcore stuff for me.
Cheeses sound great!!
I absolutely LOVE cheese – the stinkier the better! Those sound divine, I need to look for a cheese tasting around here – it’d be a great date night.
YUM!! I love cheese!
Rogue River blue cheese looks awesome. I have been to the Rogue River Brewery in Oregon. Great Beer there. Definetely a must!
The husband and I need to find an event like this… beer is his favorite, and cheese is mine! We always hit the Epcot Food & Wine Festival at Disney for this kind of event, but it would be fun to do at other times, too.
Love love love that you’re representing Oregon in this post! Rogue cheese and beer? That’s awesome. That cheese is one of my favorites, too.
Ooooh I love cheese AND beer! I’ve had both of those beers, and they’re pretty good. *drools*
Yum, looks delicious!!! I would be in heaven with all of that cheese.
I love The Junction! Had many fun nights there when I lived in Boston. Looks like a fun night of cheese and beer
I LOVE CHEESE. This is making me want a plate full of cheesy goodness for lunch!
All that cheese is making my mouth water!!! Amazing!!!! I love the Junction!
I’m pretty much obsessed with Robusto! That and Piave are two of the ones I usually pick up when I’m at Whole Foods with a cheese craving! I need to look for that Rogue River Blue.
That Rogue Bleu sounds INSANE!
I love cheese! We are having a dinner party tomorrow night and I want the app to be a bunch of different cheeses, I will have to keep the ones you mentioned in mind.