Cheese and Meat Festival Is This Weekend in Portland

Cheese and Meat Festival offerings. — Photo credit: Cheese and Meat Festival.

I’ve been hearing about the Cheese and Meat Festival for a while now, and the event is almost upon us. On Saturday, November 22 there will be a chance to taste artisan cheeses, premium cured meats, condiments, wines, and more in the southern part of North Portland. The organizers point out that this is a great chance to find some treats to share at your Thanksgiving table, too.

The Event Basics: How It’s Organized, and Getting There

The Cheese and Meat Festival takes place at the Leftbank Annex on N Weidler Street at N Vancouver Avenue, not far from the MODA center. It first took place in Portland in 2022.

Despite the Broadway Bridge being closed right now, there is still transit in the area—Portland Streetcar and buses, with the Rose Quarter MAX station two-tenths of a mile to the south. Most parking will likely be paid parking, in a lot or on the street.

The Festival is arranged into three tasting sessions: noon to 2pm (Lunch Tasting), 3pm to 5pm (Afternoon Tasting), and 6pm to 8pm (Evening Tasting). Tickets to each tasting is $70 (plus a $4.60 Eventbrite fee). You can buy your tickets here; they are non-refundable. This is a 21+ event.

The VIP Tickets are sold out at the writing of this article.

Tasting Etiquette and Attire

I haven’t encountered a festival that is particular about how you approach the vendors during the tasting, so I thought I’d include it here so you know what to expect. Bottom line: You are asked to not line up.

“We understand the urge—it is human nature to line up. However, Festival etiquette dictates that you do not. You will have access and PLENTY of time to visit all the vendors, so please come back to a table later if more than eight people are waiting.”

They also mention that “the Festival is in an indoor and outdoor setting” and that gravel and concrete are both present, so footwear is something to consider. I also read that the dress code is “business casual” but in Portland that can easily mean fleece and leggings.

So What’s The Cheese and Meat Festival About?

It’s a big tasting festival, with some of the products from Portland-area food and drink businesses. Over 50 vendors are expected to participate. When you arrive, you will be given a charcuterie board, a drinking glass, and a brochure to hold, so having your hands free and unencumbered is to your advantage.

Here are scenes from the event in 2023.

And along with the tasting part, you’ll be able to purchase products directly from the producers.

More About the Cheese and Meat Festival Director, David Bain

David Bain founded the Cheese and Meat Festival in 2016 in Vancouver, Canada (though his LinkedIn indicates it was in 2015). He founded the Victoria International Wine Festival in 2014. Bain describes himself as “a seasoned marketer and business development specialist.” He grew up around farms.

In the Canadian publication Delta Optimist, he spoke about one of the reasons he founded this festival. He said, “We started the festival because I found walking into a specialty food section overwhelming. What cheese goes with what jam? And now what cracker?”

I think Portlanders are pretty savvy about this stuff, but I know from attending festivals myself that there is always something new to learn, something new to taste, something new to get excited about.

“The Portland Cheese and Meat Festival is designed to alleviate the challenge of purchasing specialty food products without the ability to taste them first,” explained Bain. “By providing a platform for producers to showcase their offerings at a discounted rate and interact directly with consumers, we aim to facilitate the creation of demand while introducing attendees to new and exciting culinary experiences.”

Cheese and Meat Festival Vendors

These are the folks you’ll meet at the festival. Copy is by the organizers, with some of our additional comments when applicable.

Condiments

45th Parallel Provisions. Handcrafted, small-batch, shelf-stable specialty pepper products like candied jalapeños and 3-pepper relish.
Cardamom Hills Trading Co. Handcrafted chutneys and preserves, blending Northwest fruits with exotic Indian spices. [I tasted the Quince & Cranberry Chutney at the Quince Fest and was very impressed.]
Chili Royale. Small-batch crispy chili oil made in Oregon with the highest quality ingredients.
Columbia Bar. Gourmet black garlic condiments and artisanal snack bars crafted in Oregon.
HAB Sauce. Bold, handcrafted hot sauces from Portland featuring small-batch, artist-inspired flavors. [I tasted their Asian Hickory BBQ Sauce at the Wasabi Fest and it was excellent—ask for it because it’s hard to find elsewhere.]
Hot Winter Hot Sauce. Farm-direct, fermented hot sauce from the Pacific Northwest, packed with rich flavor.
ManJa Creations Artisan Food Company. Family- and woman-owned artisan producer known for “Mama’s Marinara” sauce and other gourmet creations.
Secret Aardvark Trading Co. Portland’s iconic hot sauce brand, famous for its habanero hot sauce and other flavorful condiments. [I can’t deny I’d like to try their Serrabanero and Smoky Aardvark hot sauces.]
Sibeiho. Portland-based startup bringing Singapore’s flavors to Oregon, known for its award-winning sambal chili sauces. [It is a crying shame I have not tried their products.]
We Must Mustard. Woman-owned small-batch mustard brand making bold, flavorful mustards with a community-minded mission.

Drinks (Alcohol and NA)

Botaneity. Woman-owned natural wine brand focusing on sustainable farming & minimal-intervention winemaking.
Caffe Umbria Coffee. Seattle-born artisan coffee roaster specializing in traditional Italian-style blends. [They have five locations in Portland, all on the west side.]
Coeur de Terre Vineyard. Handcrafted, organically farmed artisanal wines from Oregon’s McMinnville AVA.
Compris Vineyard. Crafts small-batch wines that reflect the unique character of its Chehalem Mountains estate.
Five Points Vineyard. Family-run vineyard in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills AVA, known for exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Good Wolf Probiotic Sodas (NA). Handcrafted in Oregon, these naturally sweetened sparkling sodas are packed with live probiotics. [Their Cherry Vanilla flavor is one of my favorites.]
Honeybee Lemonade Syrups. All-natural artisan lemonade mixers made with whole fruit and no artificial ingredients.
Humanx Cellars / NW Wine Studies Center. Minimal-intervention, community-focused wines made naturally and in tune with the vineyard.
Lemelson Vineyards. Estate-grown Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay & Riesling crafted using organic farming and gravity-flow production.
RAW Cider Co. French-inspired craft cidery making wild-fermented cider and perry from local orchard fruit.
Straightaway Cocktails. Portland-based maker of handcrafted ready-to-drink bottled cocktails, both classic and creative.
Urban River Spirits (NA). Craft distiller of non-alcoholic cocktail mixers, infused syrups and garnishes to elevate zero-proof drinks.
Willamette Valley Vineyards. One of Oregon’s leading wineries, known for sustainably grown Pinot Noir and other

Meat and Cheese/Dairy

Ahara Rasa Ghee. Grass-fed, small-batch ghee crafted the traditional Ayurvedic way in Portland.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. Artisan cheesemaker renowned for its award-winning cheeses, founded at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. [This is excellent cheese. Their flagship cheese really is delicious.]
Brat Barn. Family-run producer of specialty bratwurst, sausages, and smoked meats.
Cheeseland. Third-generation family business importing and exporting fine quality Dutch cheeses.
Don Froylan Creamery. Bringing authentic Mexican cheese-making traditions to Oregon with artisanal Oaxacan-style cheeses. [Based in Salem, their tasting room there has a solid reputation.]
Kenai-Red Fish Company. Portland-based Community Supported Fishery delivering sustainably caught wild Alaskan salmon.
Kestrel Creamery. Grade A goat dairy in Ridgefield, WA, crafting farmstead goat cheeses from a small family herd.
Olympia Provisions. Portland’s premier producer of artisanal charcuterie, renowned for its European-style cured meats. [They make the best summer sausage I’ve ever had—they even make it in the shape of a football.]
Salt Blade. Seattle-based producer of European-style dry-cured salamis, hand-crafted with sustainably raised meats.

Nuts/Grains

Chio. Premium pistachio butter spreads made with high-quality, natural ingredients. [I’ve had this and it’s quite good.]
Jaivika. Wholesale supplier of premium organic superfoods, spices, and nuts sourced via sustainable farming.
Oregon Organic Hazelnut Collective. Collaborative network of Oregon hazelnut growers committed to organic farming and industry growth.
Pepperberry Foods. Specializes in authentic Italian freselle – savory, crunchy biscuits – with bold herb and spice flavors.

Restaurants

Aladdin’s Cafe. NE Portland Middle Eastern restaurant famous for its falafel and hummus. [They are also the people behind Foodvilla, which is getting closer to opening.]
Side Piece BBQ. Southern-inspired catering outfit serving creative BBQ dishes and comfort food with a gourmet twist.

Sweet Things

Seely Mint. Family-run farm crafting high-quality mint chocolates and peppermint treats with pure mint oils.
SugarBean Candy. Makers of Coffee Bean Brûlée – an award-winning, small-batch coffee candy with bold espresso flavor.
Wildwood Chocolate. Award-winning Portland chocolatier handcrafting beautiful artisan chocolate bars with unique flavors. [I tasted their chocolates at the recent Portland Craft Chocolate Festival and enjoyed them very much.]

Vegan Specifically

The Better Bar. Organic raw pressed vegan snack bars (gluten-free, high-fiber, protein-rich) crafted in Portland.
Rose City Creamery / Earthly Gourmet. Creators of artisanal plant-based cheeses (aged cheddar, balsamic, pesto varieties) distributed by Earthly Gourmet.
UMYUM Food Inc. Vancouver-based artisan brand creating innovative plant-based cheeses and spreads from organic cashews.

Orgs/Groceries

Oregon Organic Coalition. Volunteer-run nonprofit advancing the growth of Oregon’s organic agriculture industry and community.
Specialty Food Sherpa. A specialty food brokerage connecting artisan food producers with markets across the Northwest.
Organics to You. Fresh, local organic produce and groceries delivered year-round in the Portland area. [I have been a happy customer since the pandemic.]

Sounds like there will be plenty to taste and pair. I hope it’s a great time for all!

Cheese and Meat Festival
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Leftbank Annex, 101 N Weidler Street, Portland
Tickets: $70 + fees, Purchase via Eventbrite
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