A MUENSTER EVENT
Cheesetoberfest raises funds for TriCounty Active Adult Center
POTTSTOWN >> If you like cheese, especially grilled cheese, Memorial Park was the place to be over the weekend.
The second annual Cheesetoberfest, billed as “a Muenster of an event,” was held on Saturday in Memorial Park to raise money for the TriCounty Active Adult Center.
“It (Cheesetoberfest) was something we came up with last year. We were trying to get away from the typical and expensive gala and create an event that would draw broader community support. We spent a lot of time trying to come up with an event that would appeal to everyone, both attendees and competitors. Grilled cheese is pretty universal in its appeal, and can be enjoyed equally as a simple sandwich or dressed up with other ingredients.” said Brian Parkes, executive director of the TriCounty Active Adult Center.
The restaurants volunteer their time and donate their ingredients.
Nice local restaurants competed this year including Cafe 288, Team Lex, Grumpy’s Hand Carved Sandwiches, Gracie’s 21st Century Cafe, Pottstown United Brewing, Lily’s Grille, DaVinci’s Pub Collegeville, Sunnybrook Ballroom, and September Farm Cheese.
“My favorite grilled cheese was the Bacon Jam” said Alberta Rasmussen, a regular volunteer at the TCAAC, where she is known as the “Muffin Lady.”
Created specifically for Cheesefest, “The Bacon Jam is a sandwich with a three-year aged extra sharp cheddar and Havarti cheese, housemade bacon jam, roasted tomatoes and fresh arugula ‘jamwiched’ between two perfectly grilled slices of sourdough. The tomatoes are from the TCAAC ‘s garden. The homemade bacon jam was simmered for hours.” explained Sous-Chef Kate Conklin and Chef Beth Knize of Cafe 288.
Cafe 288 took home both the Peoples’ Choice and the Judges’ Choice awards at Cheesetoberfest 2019.
Team Lex won came in second for the People’s Choice award with their jalapeno beer bread, cheddar cheese, bacon, lingonberry preserves, caramelized peach, and anise pepper.
Team Lex’s Dave Herner, who spends a lot of time at the TriCounty Active Adult Center, decided to enter the Cheesetoberfest for the first time this year to support the center. His team is named in honor of a recently deceased family member.
There were three Cheesetoberfest judges: State Rep. Joe Ciresi, Pottstown Rotary Club President Kirsten Gieseler and John Ungerman of Thrivent Financial.
“The judges will be looking for sandwiches that stand out — that perfect blend of ingredients and texture that delights the senses and warms the soul,” said Brian Parkes.
The Elam family of Chester Springs came to Cheesetoberfest to “enjoy the beautiful day and for the cheese,” said Heather Elam. “My favorite was the one from September Farm,” added Heather Elam’s
12-year-old daughter, Nora Elam.
September Farm Cheese’s Roberta Rotelle and Kayla Groff explain their entry: “Our classic toasted cheese is made with our own September Farm, Honey Brook Jack, Honey Brook Sharp Cheddar, and a Honey Brook Cheddar, aged 3 years”
The event is free to attend, but a $20 wristband is required to taste the grilled cheese contest entries and allows the sandwich samplers to vote for their favorite grilled cheese.
“We sold 347 tickets, but a number of people came and just browsed, had a beer and shopped the vendors without a ticket to taste,” Parkes said.
JoAnne Paquette, sales director of Gatsby’s at The SunnyBrook Ballroom, said, “We couldn’t decide on one (grilled cheese) so, we just brought them both.”
Gatsby’s Sous-Chef Sung Mi Lucy created one of the sandwiches and Executive Chef Michael Ellingsworth created the other.
“We have Asian beef BBQ with sweet and sour slaw on pumpernickel bread and a smoked Tavern ham with horseradish cheese, smoked gouda on a hearty white bread” described Ellingsworth.
As she tasted Grumpy’s roasted red pepper and goat cheese soup, Deena Cellini, of Media, who works for the Pottstown School District, said she attended Cheesetoberfest because “I wanted to get the weekend ‘flavor’ of the area.”
Last year Grumpy’s won both first place trophy and the people’s choice award. In addition to soup, Grumpy’s grilled cheese offering was an apple and brie sandwich with a mango pepper jam.
“I have enjoyed the winning Grumpy’s grilled cheese sandwiches several times at their restaurant on High Street They’re out of this world. I was not surprised he was the 2018 winner” said Audra Ross of Pottstown.
“This year, I liked the Asian beef BBQ. I also like Memorial Park being utilized for more new events. This is the second year for Cheesetoberfest and now it will be followed up on the 19th by another new event — Barktoberfest. Both of these events are raising money for local causes and really showcases the amazing community of business owners that we have working together” said Ross.
“I like almost every cheese I’ve ever had,” said Parkes. “The competition fierce — the chefs are bringing their best, and we have a couple of heavyweight contenders. I’d like to see it (Cheesefest) grow into a more regional competition and draw competitors from further outside of Pottstown. We do have September Farm Cheese this year from the west and DaVinci’s from the east.”
DaVinci’s Restaurant and Pub, Collegeville, served a homemade cran and blueberry bread with pears that are cooked in white wine and orange with brie cheese.
In addition to the grilled cheese, Brothers Kershner Brewing Co. had Autumn traditional “Octoberfest” German Lager and PA — 6.5% unfiltered beers available.
The Daisy Jug Band performed. There were 10 vendors and new this year was an Art Bus, “a great activity for the kids,” Parkes said, “but, I think the grilled cheese is really the main draw”