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Local company Great American Cheese Collection distributes cheeses from small artisan makers in 28 states to restaurants all over the country. But until now it’s been tricky for Chicago consumers to get their hands on these domestic gems without visiting restaurants like Tru, Sepia, or Charlie Trotter’s. This Saturday from 8 AM to noon, though, as well as December 8 and 22, the company is opening its warehouse at 4727 S. Talman to the public; customers can sample or buy any of the 200-plus cheeses in stock. Among the offerings are Humbug Mountain, a creamy goat milk pyramid with black peppercorns, and Pennsylvania Noble Mature, an organic farmstead Amish cheddar. 773-519-5055 or 773-835-5055.
ChicaGourmets and Eden Rosenbush, chef-owner of the catering company Big Red Oven, host a dinner and book signing with Crescent Dragonwagon, author of The Cornbread Gospels, Tuesday at 6:30 PM at Cambium Furniture and Kitchens. The cookbook’s focus is on corn bread, fritters, and even tortillas and tamales, though there are also recipes for other traditional accompaniments like beans, greens, soups, and stews. The dinner will feature mini johnnycakes, corn-bread rolls, and corn-bread croutons along with white bean crostini, a salad with pomegranate seeds and hazelnuts, the Portuguese stew caldo verde, and glazed ham.
