A few weeks ago, I heard about the wonder that was to be CheeseTopia. More than 40 award-winning cheesemakers and artisan food producers would be attending this fantastic event, providing samples and a chance to meet the people behind some of the best cheeses in the Midwest. Unfortunately…it was sold out! I was so very lucky as to win some tickets in a giveaway, and I was excited to go and see the many cheeses – my favorite thing.

The Good

The event was held in a beautiful reclaimed warehouse space in downtown Minneapolis. It was a venue I had wanted to poke my head in for a while, so I was happy to have the chance. They also had a huge array of vendors, spread across two rooms. Each of them was handing out very generous samples of their product. Most had cheese or other dairy-based goods, of course, but several of them were selling non-cheese items, like bread, sausage, or candied nuts. I was happy to have shown up with an empty stomach to eat all the dairy. Also, free wine and beer…so you know I’m into this. I met lots of wonderful vendors and swapped business cards for three hours. I also bought interesting foods…delicate vanilla crackers, shallot cookies, and gin and juice salami. It was an incredible afternoon.

The Bad

The venue was too small for all the people, or at least for how the vendors were laid out. Everywhere was very busy, and I would have to wait in line a long time to get to the vendors. There was also supposedly a group of servers walking around with passed appetizers and drink service, but I never saw them. There was one girl, one time, who took my empty wine glass. They had easily accessible bars, but the service was something that they had mentioned on their website, and it just wasn’t there.

The Verdict

This was an awesome event to go to…for free. I don’t know if I would have been down to spend the $75 a ticket that this supposedly cost. I don’t think it was worth all that. A $75 opportunity to buy things isn’t really my style. If the price was lower, or if you could go for free, like I did, I think it would be totally worth it.

For more information on CheeseTopia, being held next year in Milwaukee, you can visit the Wisconsin Cheese Originals website. Happy eating. :)