Posted in Cheese, France, Producer Profile, tagged Cheese, food, France, Haute Tarentaise, Joseph Paccard, Paulette Marmottan, Persillé de Tignes, Savoie on June 11, 2011 | 4 Comments »
It’s sad to say, but farmstead cheeses are disappearing in France. As the cheese buyer for Formaggio Kitchen, I do what I can to make sure this does not happen. This is why I feel compelled to highlight the last remaining producer of Persillé de Tignes and to share my love of this cheese. (more…)
Posted in Cheese, Cheesemaking, France, Producer Profile, Travelogues, tagged Cheese, cheesemakers, cheesemaking, curds, food, France, Manigodine, Reblochon, Savoie, tomme, Tomme de Savoie, whey on December 29, 2010 | 2 Comments »
The evening light was fading as we ascended the mountain up to the Burgats’ alpage home outside of Manigod. With every turn that the car made, the views got even more splendid. Darkening clouds provided a sense of atmosphere and the cool air was deliciously fresh. Pulling up to the Burgats’ farmhouse, the sun was just about to disappear and the warm, yellow glow from inside their home was a welcome sight. (more…)
Posted in Cheese, France, tagged Cheese, Comté, fermier, Ihsan Gurdal, Jura, Kurt Gurdal, Pyrenees, Savoie, Tomme Crayeuse, Tomme de Savoie, Valerie Gurdal on December 17, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
This has been a good year for cheese at Formaggio Kitchen. We were lucky enough to visit several producers — both old friends and new acquaintances — who are sending us some incredible cheeses. Throughout the holidays, as family and friends come to town, or as you pack for a trip of your own, be sure to have a good selection of cheese on hand for simple snacking or to create an elegant cheese course. For help finding just the right cheese, here are a few highlights from our recent trips. (more…)
Posted in Cheese, France, Travelogues, tagged Abondance, Cheese, France, fromage, Paccard, Savoie, Tomme Crayeuse, Tomme de Savoie, travel on April 20, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Here at Formaggio Kitchen – despite our obvious allegiance to the Italian word “formaggio” – our dedication to French cheeses and other produits du terroir is the foundation for our entire selection. So, visiting France and meeting the folks who make the dozens of different products we regularly import is a special experience – kind of like when you visit a college friend at home and meet their parents, see their neighborhood.
Every two years, France hosts a huge fair in Paris, Salon de l’Agriculture, to celebrate the people and products that make up the country’s agricultural scene. Imagine eight convention centers, each with a different theme — one hall full of wine, another full of olive oil, and even one full of animals. It’s a giant country fair, complete with medals and honors – Paris-style.
We attended earlier this year specifically for the cheese show, Salon du Fromage. This particular salon is open only to industry professionals and is an opportunity for cheesemakers, affineurs and distributors to display their products and chat with clients. Cheese industry folks from all over the world crowd the hall to see what’s new and catch up with associates. We bounce from appointment to appointment: discussing packaging options for a new large-format Epoisses, for instance, then meeting with a cheesemaker from the Pyrénées to taste sheep cheese and learn about the new co-operative dairy they are building to support area shepherds.
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