Cheese tastings
While at the Ritz, Susan developed a love for French Cheeses, studying,
tasting, and visiting cheesemakers whenever possible. She taught cheese
classes regularly to diploma students and private groups at the Ritz on
a monthly basis for over two years. She has since been expanding her expertise
to include other principal cheese-making regions of the world particularly
the exciting artisanal chesses currently being made in the U.S. Her cheese
classes include an overview of the five principal families of cheese,
where they come from, how they are produced; tastings from each of these
families paired with appropriate wines and breads; tips on selecting,
presenting, and storing cheese; and the etiquette of serving and eating
cheese.
- Click here for a sample of prior tastings -
Food & Spirits: putting wine and
spirits in context
Epicurean is developing a curriculum of tastings and cooking classes
that focus on pairing wines and spirits (fortified wines, beers, etc)
into the contexts in which they will be consumed. Wine is meant to be
enjoyed with food, as part of a meal, but we rarely learn about wine
in it's proper context.
We conduct cheese & wine tastings that focus on pairing wines and cheeses,
discovering the harmonies and pleasing contrasts between beverage and
food that bring each element to it's highest expression. We discuss
not only the flavor components, but the history, terroir, and
cultures that have created these products, giving a full context and
deeper understanding of how and why certain pairings work so well.
Wines are tasted first, then cheeses, then the two are tasted together,
so that participants can discover the often startling changes that occur
on the palate when flavors mingle.
Cheese and spirits tastings are outstanding fundraisers, extremely effective
client appreciation events and team builders, and are a great party
theme.
When the wine comes first
Generally when we plan a meal, we choose a wine once the menu has been
selected. But what happens when we purchase or receive an extraordinary
wine and wish to plan a meal around the wine? Epicurean is developing
a series of cooking classes to address such a fortunate circumstance.
If you are interested in hosting a practical class and have a particular
wine you need to plan around, do not hesitate to contact us for a private
group class.
- Sample menu -