Pastoral's 2nd Annual Artisan Producer Festival in Chicago

Pastoral's 2nd Annual Artisan Producer Festival

Chicago French Market’s Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine will host its second annual Pastoral’s Artisan Producer Festival, a complimentary event to meet culinary artisans from throughout the U.S. and around the globe! Come and sample products and celebrate small batch food, beer and wine at Chicago French Market (131 North Clinton Street), from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012.

This year’s lineup features more than 70 culinary producers—more than double the number of artisans who participated at last year’s event—with award-winning cheese makers from across the country including Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese in Kentucky, Cypress Grove Chevre in California and Marcoot Jersey Creamery from Illinois among at least 25 others. Venerable cheese mongers from Neal’s Yard Dairy in London will also be on hand and sampling some of the best cheeses from the British Isles, while New York-based Forever Cheese will feature some of the Mediterranean’s finest cheeses and other culinary delights from Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia.

Additionally, there will be a variety of national and international artisans who produce Pastoral’s distinctive sweet and savory accompaniments. From beer and spirit makers in Chicago to a potato chip producer from Virginia to caviar and truffle oil artisans from Italy, this year’s festival is one of Chicago’s most extensive events featuring culinary specialties from local, national and international producers.

Scheduled events throughout the day will include a cheese wrapping game sponsored by Formaticum, an avocado tasting for kids (and grown-ups) with The Good Food Project—sponsored by Avocados from Mexico—and Best of the Fest competition with food industry luminaries voting on their favorite featured artisans and products.

Pastoral created Pastoral’s Artisan Producer Festival as part of the company’s mission to make buying and eating great food and wine a fun, inviting and educational experience for its customers. Many of the products featured at Pastoral’s Artisan Producer Festival are sold in the Midwest exclusively at Pastoral. The event also will highlight artisan producers featured at Pastoral’s neighboring Chicago French Market vendors.

Parking for only $6 will be available for all attendees at 165 North Clinton, the parking lot located just north of Chicago French Market. For more information, visit pastoralartisan.com or call 312-454-2200.

Categories: Festivals