Talk & Taste: Cheese Tasting Event at Essex Market

In 2006, Anne Saxelby opened a modest stall at the Essex Street Market in the Lower East Side of New York City. She had no idea then that she would become a central figure to putting artisanal American cheese and cheesemakers on the map of food culture.

Meet the cheesemongers, historians, and dairy enthusiasts who are continuing that legacy -- from those championing women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ folks in the dairy industry to the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund apprentices creating change in their own communities.

On Wednesday, April 30, Essex Market’s Alex Ritter-Jung will take us through a special presentation discussing the origins, history, and technique of all things cheese along with our special guests:

• Cheesemonger and food educator, Kyra James
• Dairy historian and recipient of the Daphne Zepos Research Award, Mary Casella
• The apprentices of the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund

After the discussion, we’ll get a chance to try some cheeses curated by our Talk & Taste guest panelists, in collaboration with Essex Market’s premier cheesemonger: Formaggio Essex. Our special guests will talk about what makes each cheese bite special, what notes you’ll be able to smell and taste in each, and what recipes and drinks they pair best with at the dinner table.

By the end of this Talk & Taste evening, you’ll walk away an unofficial cheese connoisseur yourself!

This programming is presented in partnership with the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) and Edible Manhattan media.

About Essex Market:

Essex Market is New York City’s most historic public market. Nestled in the heart of the Lower East Side, Essex Market embodies a legacy as rich and diverse as the neighborhood itself. For generations, it has been a symbol of community, offering a vibrant mix of local flavors and small businesses that reflect the dynamic spirit of its surroundings. Open 360 days a year, there’s always something in store for you here!

About MOFAD:

Food is culture.™ As the most universal aspect of human existence, it is a powerful lens for understanding ourselves, each other, and the world around us. MOFAD is a new kind of museum that uses this power to create cultural change towards a more thoughtful, equitable, and delicious future.

A 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit and pioneering museum located in the heart of Brooklyn’s historical DUMBO neighborhood, MOFAD brings the world of food and drink to life with exhibits you can taste, touch, and smell. With programs reflecting upon all aspects of food culture and systems, MOFAD aims to inspire generations of curious eaters of all ages and backgrounds.

About Edible Manhattan:

Edible Manhattan tells the story of how the city eats. Along with our other Edible titles, it belongs to magazines and websites across North America.

We chronicle how the region eats. Through editorial and at events where our stories come to life, we celebrate the people who are building the sort of food culture we want—one that’s diverse, accessible, sustainable and delicious.

Host or Publisher Essex Market