Earth Fare will be hosting a tasting and book signing with renowned cheese pioneer, Allison Hooper, the second day of its Chattanooga opening. The signing will take place Dec. 10 from 3-7 p.m. This event will feature samples of artisan cheeses and butters as well as an opportunity to taste original recipes featured in Hooper’s book, “In a Cheesemaker’s Kitchen”.
Recently featured on “The Martha Stewart Show”, Hooper is the co-founder of Vermont Butter and Cheese Company and was one of the first artisan cheesemakers in the United States.
Before starting her business in 1984, Ms. Hooper was a dairy products quality technician with the Vermont Department of Agriculture. She and her partner, Bob Reese, were awarded Vermont Small Business Persons of the Year in 1996. She has worked for Land O’ Lakes International Development to revitalize domestic cheesemaking in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. She is also the Founding President of the Vermont Cheese Council and was President of the American Cheese Society from 2007 through 2009.