Beer and Cheese Night with Vagabond Cheese and El Segundo Brewery

I work in the specialty food/cheese industry and do my best to attend cheese events to further enhance my knowledge of the subject. During the weekend, Vagabond cheese hosted a cheese pairing event at El Segundo Brewing Company. A flight of cheeses were selected and served alongside complementary brews.

Two of the most interesting cheeses of the night were Ogleshield and Ol Sciur. This was my first time tasting either of these cheeses, so I was ecstatic to be introduced to something new! Ogleshield is an alpine style cheese made not from the alps of Switzerland or  France, but in Somerset, England!? It was pretty fantastic with its beefy savoriness, and rich mouth feel. Ol Sciur is a raw goat's milk blue rubbed with mixed berries and rose petals. Say whhatt? I couldn't believe it either! I enjoyed the sweet aroma, and the fruity flavor juxtaposed with the light peppery blue bite. A little bit dried fruit, nuts and  bergamot marmalade from Blue Chair Fruit Co. completed the cheese plate. 

What a delicious night of cheese and beer!

A Perfect Pairing: Roquefort & Red Bull

Roquefort available @ Di Bruno Bros, Red Bull via Target

At your next dinner party, wow your guests by pairing Roquefort, a robust sheep's milk blue cheese, with an energizing can of Red Bull. The sharpness of the cheese and the sweet and citrus flavors of Red Bull will keep you focused, alert and wanting more.

April Fools'!

Coffee & Cheese Pairing

Next time you serve your after-dinner coffee why not provide a cheese to complement? A decadent cheese paired with a hot cup of coffee is a pleasant combination. Wine is not the only beverage that can be enjoyed with cheese! Try Starbucks' Dark Sumatra and a rich Camembert. Its smooth quality and herbaceous undertones pairs well with the earthy umami quality of Camembert. 

photography credits: dark sumatra via starbucks store, camembert via igourmet 

Ice Cream and Sorbet Pairing

Hey guys! Sorry, I've been on a blog hiatus. I'm back and more than ready to blog! Today I bring you an unconventional pairing: ice cream & sorbet. This idea brewed up in my head when I came across Salt and Straw's pear blue cheese ice cream and Jeni's Riesling poached pear sorbet. The sharp flavor profile of the blue cheese ice cream would complement the sweet, palate cleansing pear sorbet so nicely. It's the juxtaposition of flavors that would make this a delicious pairing. Add some walnuts and you have yourself a sweeet dessert.