The Winter Wedge 2021 - Virtual Cheese Fun

Similar but not exact contents of the 2021 Winter Wedge. Photo source: The Wedge.

One of the best cheese festivals in our region, if not the country, is The Wedge from the Oregon Cheese Guild. Billed as a “Farmers Market-style event,” it was a time where you could go and try a bunch of regional cheeses in one place, as well as purchase cheese and other specialty food and drinks. Since we’ve been in a pandemic, it’s been a virtual event—and the same goes for this year. How do you participate? Here’s how.

I had wondered how The Wedge was doing their event in these strange times, and when I was in line to enter the Gobble Up Portland food show last month, a woman behind me told me how much she enjoyed last year’s Wedge, all things considered. From what I learned from her, it looks like this year is similar to last: you buy a sample bag of cheese and artisanal foodstuffs and join a live virtual meeting later this month.

So first, you buy a Winter Wedge ticket for $120 that comes in the form of a tasting bag. This is a great opportunity to have a bunch of cheese and accouterments with a small gathering of friends at home. The package comes in a reusable insulated tote, which is pretty nice. Inside the tote you’ll find 14 different Oregon cheeses, Kelly’s Jelly, Portland Creamery Cajeta, Effie’s Homemade Crackers, and DriftWest Sparkling Water Kefir. In Portland you pick it all up on December 22 or 23 between 2pm and 6pm at a location in the Central Eastside (they’ll email you pick-up instructions). NB: delivery and/or shipping is not available this year.

Gather together on Sunday, December 26 at 5pm PST for a Facebook Live event via Zoom (link will be provided to participants). You’ll get to learn more about the cheese and cheesemakers, learn about pairings, and there will also be a live raffle.

If you want to save $10 on your ticket, you can fill out this survey (via SurveyMonkey).

The Winter Wedge
Virtually on Facebook Live via Zoom
Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 5pm