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Epicurean Connection plans seventh annual conference |
03.07.2008
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SONOMA, Calif.--After its sixth year, the Sonoma Valley Opportunities and Challenges Cheese Conference at the Sonoma Valley Inn held here March 4-6, is hitting its stride, and gearing up for its seventh said Sheana Davis, the conference's creator and the founder of The Epicurean Connection, a culinary marketing and education company.
Year after year, the conference continues to build in attendees and subject matter. This year's theme was "The Food Chain--From the Farm to the Table."
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Located in one of the top dairy states, Davis is convinced of the need of a small, regional conference. About 300 attendees can sign up for the annual trade conference, which caters to cheesemakers as well as specialty retailers and restaurants from all over the United States.
"We can never get enough education," Davis said.
This year's event featured a keynote address from Juliet Harbutt, chairman of the British Cheese Awards and food writer.
Davis' mentor, Ig Vella, founder of Vella Cheese Co., here, and master cheesemaker at Rogue Creamery in Oregon, was among the speakers.
Guest speakers included Leslie "Bees" Butler, marketing specialist at UC Davis; San Francisco retailers: Gordon Edgar, Rainbow Grocery Cooperative; Ray Bair, Cheese Plus; and Sam Mogannam, Bi Rite Market & Creamery; and Juliana Uruburu, The Pasta Shop, Oakland, and cheese/cookbook authors Laura Werlin and Janet Fletcher.
A number of speakers were from Wisconsin including Sid Cook, Carr Valley Cheese; and Steve Ehlers, Larry's Market. Allison Hooper with Vermont Butter & Cheese Co. Burlington, Vt., and current American Cheese Society president, were among the speakers.
The three-day seminar offered educational classes of interest to cheesemakers, retail and restaurants. Details about the 2009 event will be posted at www.sheanadavis.com in the coming months.
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