cheese

It’s no secret that food bloggers are generally in love with Whole Foods Market. It was perhaps one of the first places that I shopped where I started to think food was art; I can still just wander around looking at their unique displays and hard-to-find goodies. I love it so much, Whole Foods even gets a shout-out in my About page. So it was a perfect match last night when Whole Foods River Street in Cambridge hosted its first blogger event.

Held in the café, just off of the drool worthy hot bar and salad bar areas, the event was in a cozy, enclosed place that perfectly fit the obviously excited group of bloggers in attendance. I arrived at the event with Megan, who was kind enough to pick a bunch of us up at Central Square, and Daisy, Elizabeth, and Kathy. Once we were checked in, we got to check out the awesome display of food that Whole Foods put out for us.

The cheese display was first and was the love of my evening. Sean from Whole Foods’ cheese department told us all about the selection and gave us some great ideas for making holiday treats such as rolling goat cheese logs in nuts or herbs for an easy, delicious cheese spread.

We sampled several goat cheese spreads including one with a mix of olives and one with Peppadew peppers which Megan and I quickly became addicted to. Peppadew peppers are neither sweet nor hot; they are somewhere in the middle, and they are so flavorful and go perfectly with goat cheese. In fact, I have eaten these little red gems stuffed with sweet goat cheese in the Naschmarkt in Vienna. I can’t wait to make this dip for Christmas.

The cheese table also included a variety of other cheeses, tortilla crackers, and marcona almonds.

Sean knew a ton about cheese, and we bloggers were clearly engaged, judging by the fact that the cheese table had a small crowd all evening!

Whole Foods also shared a variety of hot appetizers like creamy Swedish meatballs, arancini, chicken satay, and stuffed mushrooms. As expected, everything was fresh, made with the best ingredients, and kept us going back for more.

And while I flocked to the cheese and other appetizers, those with a sweet tooth were not left out. Tarts, mini cheesecakes, and cupcakes decorated with festive sprinkles and snowflakes.

Throughout the evening, we also tasted some of the beer and wine that Whole Foods carries. The Cisco Brewers’ Santa’s Beered had a festive spice to it and is definitely a beer that would fit right in at our house. I also tasted a just-okay Cabernet Sauvignon from Three Wishes, and a special Camino de Navaherreros Garnacha that had a nice acidity and drinkability factor.

The room was decorated with all sorts of seasonal touches like cranberries, pinecones, and greenery; the team at Whole Foods really went all out to make it a great evening.

And, as dutiful food bloggers, in a hilarious exodus, I think every one of us did some shopping after we left. I picked up my beloved hot Grillo’s Pickles and Real Pickles fermented cabbage. If I had realized my husband was picking me up rather than having me take the train home, I would have left with a lot more!

It was so nice of Whole Foods to host us, and I was really happy to meet some new bloggers, catch up with old friends, and to eat a lot of yummy cheese! It really put me in the holiday spirit.

Where do you do your grocery shopping? Do you have a Whole Foods Market near you?

In case you missed it, I am hosting a giveaway from Kerrygold! Check it out!