Knoxville's first cheese festival set for Sept. 17-18

KNOXVILLE - Cheeselovers rejoice. Cheezus is coming to Knoxville September 17 and 18th to the TAPestry, the event center located at the Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus at 621 Lamar Street in North Knoxville.

Come to Cheezus, Knoxville’s first cheese festival, promises to be a unique and educational event, says event organizer Stephanie Carson.

“Artisan cheeses can expand your ability to enjoy your meal, beer, wine and cider. This event will give people the information they need to go to their local cheese purveyor or grocery store and choose cheeses to match their tastes,” she said.

More than 25 local, national and international cheeses will be represented, including locally produced Cooks on the Curb Pimento and Sequachie Cove Creamery. Farragut’s Euphoric Cheese Shop will also be on hand to introduce people to their wide variety of cheeses. The cheeses will be expertly paired by World Cheese Judge and Dean of the Institute of Fromage Michael Landis.

“On Saturday, attendees will have their pick of the cheeses and receive a recommendation of which craft cider or beer to pair them with. They’ll then take their sampling ticket to the bar to redeem it for the recommended pour,” explains Carson.

Sampling is from 12:00 to 5:00pm Saturday, Sept. 18th and tickets include 5 or 7 sampling tickets for beer or cider. Early entry tickets are $60 and General Admission tickets are $45.

If people need more cheese, they can attend the Cheese Dinner Friday night for $40 per person, or $75 per couple. That will include pairings of five ciders or beers and cheeses curated and explained by Landis. Cooks on the Curb will also sample their pimento cheese and The Bohemian Restaurant has a “cheese forward” menu planned with smoked chicken and truffle ravioli and an apple cheddar dessert.

Tickets can be purchased at barrelhouse.simpletix.com or at the Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus Taproom.