What/when/where: Victoria’s only festival dedicated to charcuterie and cheese, The Cheese and Meat Festival, flings open its doors at The Crystal Gardens (713 Douglas St.) on Saturday, May 20th. Tickets are still available for the 3:00-5:30pm tasting. Note the 7:00-930pm tasting has sold out.
What to Expect: You’ll be welcomed with a charcuterie board and tasting glass upon entry to taste your way through the hall for two decadent hours! Sample cheese and charcuterie paired with wine, beer, and cider, along with other snacks and condiments. Select participants include: Cure Meat and Cheese, Jenny Marie’s Crackers, Blue Grouse Vineyard, De Vine Vineyard, West Coast Smokin Oysters, Caffe Umbria, McLean Meats, Lighthouse Brewing, Driftwood Brewery, Bona Vini Wines, Sea Cider, Spanish Gold Olive Oil, Bon Macaron, Discovery Coffee, The Glenlivet, VI Salt Co, Choux Choux Charcuterie, Sheringham Distillery, Ravenstone, Picnic Charcuterie, Wholefoods, Venturi-Schulze, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, McLean Cheese, Walter Craft Caesar Mix, AWARE Beverages Inc, Riot Brewing Co, Terra Breads, Mixers and Elixirs, FinicaFood Specialties Ltd, The Very Good Butchers, Hee-Haw HorseRadish, Tod Creek Cider, Swans Brew Pub, Habibi’s Mediterranean Foods, Fol Epi, Off The Eaten Track, Olive the Senses, She Devil Delights, HoyneBrewing Co, Natural Pastures, and many more.
Why: The abundance of regional artisan shops and restaurants thoughtfully pairing fantastic cheese and charcuterie has never been greater. The Cheese and Meat Festival brings together these artisans for one special day, offering an engaging, experiential format under one roof.
Who’s Behind the Festivities: Producer Dave Bain’s recently sold-out Cheese and Meat Festivals in Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC compelled him to continue the event in Victoria this year. “The festival gives attendees the ability to learn about and taste new cheeses and meats. Attendees enjoy the experience of building their board with their favourites,” Bain says. “It also allows mom-and-pop shops to showcase their artisan products and gain marketing exposure they couldn’t otherwise afford.”
Details:
- Admission:$55 plus tax and service fees. Ages 19 and over only, please
- Tickets still available for the May 20th, 3:00-5:30pmtasting at www.cheeseandmeatfestival.com; advance purchase highly recommended (limited door tickets will be available).
- www.facebook.com/cheeseandmeatfestival
- Share socially with #cheeseandmeatfestival
Festival Shop On-Site: Taste it, love it, take it home! The Cheese and Meat festival features an on-site store, with most exhibitor items for sale and priced between $5 and $10!
Seminars – The festival showcases two classroom style seminars that focus on pairing spirits and cheese and pairing beer and charcuterie. These seminars are limited to 30 seats and are exclusive offerings that require the purchase of a ticket for the seminar or the purchase of a Super Pass.
