October 8, 2023
Calling all cheese lovers! For the sixth year, the Western NC Cheese Trail celebrates local food and makers at the delicious Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest. It will be held at Oak and Grist Distilling Company in Black Mountain, NC from 1-5 PM.
The festival spotlights more than 20 local food businesses representing cheese, charcuterie, crackers, bread, chocolate, and more. Featured cheesemakers from the WNC Cheese Trail include: Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery, English Farmstead Cheese, Looking Glass Creamery, Round Mountain Creamery, Three Graces Dairy, Spinning Spider Creamery and Yellow Branch Cheese. In addition, sample creations by other cheesemakers from around the Southeast.
Demos and workshops, included with festival admission, are held throughout the day. Skilled artisans and educators present on a variety of topics from creating the perfect cheese board to soapmaking. Returning this year is the popular Chef Competition where local chefs battle to interpret this year’s theme of “Brunch Bites” and take home the Food Critics and People’s Choice awards.
For a small additional cost, enjoy pairings featuring cheese from WNC Cheese Trail members along with beverages from Oak & Grist and Barn Door Ciderworks. Enjoy gin and whiskey-based cocktails, local beer, wine, and cider.
The festive event also includes mellow acoustic entertainment and a family tent with crafts and other hands-on activities. The Kid Corral features pet baby goats and milking demonstrations.
The Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest is the WNC Cheese Trail’s largest annual event and fundraiser. The Trail was established in 2012 as a nonprofit association to promote the production and sale of WNC cheeses, facilitate consumer education, and encourage tourism to the region.
Tickets are limited, so it's best and cheaper to buy them in advance. Early entry tickets ($30/person) include on-site parking and admission to the festival at 12 PM. General admission tickets ($23/person) include admission to the festival at 1 PM. Free off-site parking and shuttle service will be provided. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free of charge with a ticketed guest. Online general admission ticket sales end at noon on Sunday, September 18. The remaining tickets will be sold at the door for $30 (plus fees if using a credit card). The Festival ends at 5 PM.
Go to their website to purchase tickets and read more.
