Did you know that there is only one artisanal cheese maker in Southern California that can actually sell cheese? It seems almost impossible, but any cheese you get at the farmer's markets around here is from a far off land, unless it's from Winchester Gouda.

Fortunately, their cheeses are some of the best. It's authentic Dutch style gouda, a creamy white to yellow cheese made with raw milk that can be either soft or hard depending on how long it's been aged. We'll be featuring a cheese plate of 5 different types of Winchester gouda starting August 1st. The cheese melds perfectly with flavors like garden herb, jalapeno, and cumin.

On Thursday, August 5th at 7pm, Jeffrey Smoot, expert cheese maker at Winchester Gouda, will be joining us for a 5-course gouda tasting menu. If you've ever wondered about how great cheeses are made, this is your chance to learn and indulge. Chef Christy will be making 5 special menu items to highlight the flavors of each cheese which will be paired either with a taster size local draft beer or half glass of wine.

The price for the dinner will be $45 per person and include a short presentation about how Gouda is made! Reservations for this event are required. Please call or e-mail Elena at 619-997-8043 or elena@searocketbistro.com to hold your seat. A credit card is required and $10 will be charged per person for any no-shows the night of.

Here is the scrumptious menu that Christy is planning:

Garden Herb Gouda Cracker Bread with Susie's Farm Heirloom Tomato Salad
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Susie's Squash Blossoms Filled with Mild Gouda, brown rice and summer squash
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Jalapeno Gouda Nachos with Brandt Ground Beef and Cunningham Farms Avocado Guacamole
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Cheesy Local Mushrooms from Golden Gourmet & Mountain Meadow Farms with Smoked Gouda
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Local Farms Fruit Plate with Super Aged Gouda