Featured in this 30-minute film is Mike Gingrich, maker of the aforementioned high-priced cheese; Sid Cook, who explains what sets his cheeses apart; Anne Topham, who introduces us to the goats that produce milk for her fabulous Fantome Farm fresh chevre; Julie & Tony Hook, who tell us about their blue cheeses; Willi Lehner, who shows us the difference between grazed-milk cheeses and conventional varieties; and Bob Wills, who talks about his “cheese incubator” factory near Plain, Wis.
Also making a guest appearance on the PBS documentary will be Odessa Piper, one of Wisconsin’s most beloved and innovative chefs.
As an added bonus, if you like what you see during the May 4 television program, mark your calendars now to attend a gala tasting event on May 24 at the Orpheum Theatre in Madison from 6 to 9 p.m. An extended 60-minute version of the film will be shown, followed by an artisan cheese tasting matching six top Wisconsin chefs with six amazing cheeses featured in the film. Cheesemakers will also be mingling with the crowd. Tickets available at the door for $15. Not bad for a chance to meet some of the most talented cheesemakers in the U.S.