The American Cheese Society Conference held at the Hilton Downtown last week was a rousing success. Getting into the true spirit of Austin, Wisconsin cheesemakers hosted a big party with beer, barbecue, cheese, and live music at Stubb’s on Friday night. The conference came to a close over the weekend with the Festival of Cheese early Saturday evening and a big cheese sale on Sunday to benefit ACS’ scholarship programs. Shoppers had the opportunity to chat with cheesemakers and find great bargains on award-winning, small-batch farmstead cheeses from around the country. According to our own MM Pack, Texas cheese companies came away with 10 awards during the conference competition last Friday: Pure Luck Farm & Dairy of Dripping Springs took two first-place ribbons and one third, Lucky Layla Farm of Garland took one first-place and three second-place ribbons, Latte Da Dairy of Flower Mound took home one first, and Mozzarella Company of Dallas garnered a first- and a second-place ribbon… In addition to cheese, it seems lots of the news this week has to do with coffee, tea, and ice cream. Cuvee Coffee Roasting Company of Spicewood is offering a barista training series every Friday from 10am to 4pm. The small classes cost $275 per person and cover the fundamentals of crafting the perfect espresso, taught by certified barista competition judges and award-winning baristas. Download registration forms from the training section at www.cuveecoffee.com or call 512/264-1479… Though tea maven Tony Ingargiola had to close the retail outlet of his Chado Tea Market in the Triangle this summer, he wants his loyal clients to know their favorite teas are still available through his online business, TeaNuvo.com. Check out the selection, and if you don’t see what you like, contact Tony at tony@teanuvo.com, and he’ll add it to his list… The fast-expanding international chain the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (221 S. Lamar; 3718 N. Lamar) celebrated the opening of its second Austin location last week. In addition to coffee beans, packaged teas, and a full complement of coffee and tea beverages, the shops offer local pastries and other prepared foods, plus live music on weekends… Congratulations to Matt Lee and his staff at Teo Espresso, Gelato & Bella Vita (1206 W. 38th, 451-9555, www.caffeteo.com), who have once again been recognized by Forbes Traveler magazine, making its list of “America’s Best Ice Cream”… After more than 20 successful years here, Austin’s homegrown multirestaurant delivery business Eat Out In (www.eatoutin.com) expanded into San Antonio recently. Company founder Jackie Davies reports the expansion was driven by customer demand and made possible by the company’s new website and management software, which allows most of the operation to be run from the Austin office.
This article appears in August 14 • 2009.