Cheese Happy Hour Hiatus

For a while there, our local Whole Foods stores were doing a "Cheese Happy Hour" quite regularly each Friday afternoon, with one luscious cheese spectacularly discounted 40 or 50 percent, just between 4 and 7 that afternoon. Having been missing any notice of such a sale recently, I asked the cheese folks at the Pearl Street store what was happening, and was told they're taking a bit of a break from doing that sale. I'd love to see it return - I was really enjoying discovering some wonderful (and expensive) cheeses at prices that were accessible during the Happy Hour.

No Cacio Di Roma At Whole Foods

Bummer. It seems Whole Foods has dropped Cacio di Roma from its cheese selections, at least at the Pearl Street store (and if Pearl doesn't have it, it's going to be hard to find it anywhere else on the planet, excluding Italy of course). Cacio di Roma is key to making Mario Batali's bavette cacio e pepe pasta dish at home, as I'd planned to do tonight. I bought some extra Parmigiano Reggiano as a sub, but I'm pretty sure it will be disappointing. Oh well, at least the snow is melting out there, before more comes in on Wednesday.

Cheese Platter Demo At Alfalfa's

Good cold and snowy morning Boulder!  We could all use a little help with our pairing and presentation skills, and this one comes with a 10% cheese discount as well.  Here are the details from Alfalfa's:

How to Make a Cheese Platter with Julian Hart

November 23, 1:00 to 2:00pm

Alfalfa's Demo Kitchen

Join us as Cheese & Specialty Manager, Julian Hart, shares his tips on how to create a perfectly paired cheese platter with assorted fruits and meats. All guests will receive 10% off the entire cheese department that day!

Cheese Sampling At Sunflower

Our Boulder Sunflower is planning a Cheese Lovers Sampling this Wednesday, the 7th, from noon to 2 pm. Their calendar invites you to "Explore our cheese department and try something new or a favorite!"

Classes At Cured

Boulder's wonderful purveyor of cheeses, wine, and other goodies, Cured, is launching a new program of classes on Thursdays, starting with Cheese Basics this Thursday, the 26th. Sounds educationally delicious. Here's the word from them:

"...for those of you who are interested in delving just a little deeper, we are lauching Cured’s education program. Every Thursday night from 5:30-6:30, we will be holding a class-be it a cheese lesson, wine pairing, beer tasting or seminar from one of our purveyors, we promise there will be something new to learn and something delicious to taste. We will be starting next Thursday the 26th with Cheese Basics-an overview on the history, make process, classifications and categories of cheese. Cheese Basics is limited to 8 people and will cost $35 per person. After class we will offer 10% off all cheeses and meats so you can take home your favorite bites to share. Call or email us to reserve your space-pre-payment is required."

Cheese Class At Cured

I hope you've had a chance to stop by Boulder's newest showcase for artisanal cheese and meats, Cured, at 1825 Pearl Street by now. They're getting in gear with their first cheese class coming up (although I just looked at the email, the class is tomorrow, yikes). It sounds like an excellent introduction to the world of fine cheese for $30, but class size is quite limited, so check it out quickly. Here's what they said in their email:

We are finally catching our breath and getting our feet under us and cant wait to roll out all the events and activities we have been scheming up over the last year: picnic baskets anyone? Or a cheesemonger designed platter for your next party? And the one we are most excited for: Classes!

First up, Cheese 101. We figured we would start with the basics, helping you to broaden your knowledge on one of our favorite subjects. It seems only appropriate to start this education journey with the history and process of cheesemaking and how many of the modern-day cheeses you have been enjoying thus far draw on that tradition. We will run through the basics of tasting, the categorization of cheese, and how to build your own cheese plate at home. And of course, we will taste just a cheese or two :) Class will be held Sunday, September 18th from 5:00-6:30 and will be $30/person. Space is limited to 12 people-please send an email to answers@curedboulder.com to reserve a spot.

Big Deal From Cheese Importers

If you're familiar with Cheese Importers in Longmont, you know they have a pretty vast walk-in cooler filled with many, many types of cheese, and a lovely European-influenced market as well. They're also today's Living Social deal for Boulder County, offering $30 worth of goods for $15. You can read the deal details here. The one thing I don't see is when the coupon would expire, if you buy it.

Excellent Bulk Cheese Sale at Sprouts

If you're a cheese lover of the ordinary type like I am (as opposed to the type that won't touch a cheese costing less than $20 a pound), the 40% off bulk-cut cheese at Sprouts this week is a dynamite sale. I was just there, looking for a smoked gouda, and they had not one but two options at 40% off. I'll definitely stock up on long lasting parmesan too, before the sale ends next Wednesday. I usually buy the domestic or Argentinian variety, but at 40% off, might spring for authentic reggiano as well.