The Big Cheese fest is landing at Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake

Cheese lovers, there’s a new, three-day festival that starts Memorial Day weekend. The Big Cheese, which combines cheese-centered dinners, tastings and classes, is happening May 25 to 28 at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake.

The festival kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday and ends with brunch Monday morning. The area’s cheesemakers were the inspiration for the festival; they include Sargento, Sartori, LaClare Farms, Saxon Creamery, Henning’s and Deer Creek. 

Events include cheese pairings with wines, craft beers, bourbon and teas, hands-on cheesemaking in the resort’s cooking school, a cheese marketplace, a special tasting of world championship cheeses and a nine-course artisan cheese dinner.

Cheesemakers will attend the meals and meet with visitors, and Wisconsin author Jeannette Hurt will discuss cheese and cocktail pairings and sign copies of her books “The Cheeses of Wisconsin” and “Drink Like a Woman.”

Tastings, pairings, cheesemaking classes and a reception Friday are $25, an Italian-themed cooking class is $85, the nine-course dinner is $110. The Big Cheese Fair marketplace is $5 a person, or $2 for ages 6 to 12, and half of admissions go to the Sheboygan County Food Bank. One-day passes for three events are available at $55. 

Tickets will be available at the door, but they can be bought in advance by calling the resort, (877) 624-8995. Packages with overnight stays also are available. The full schedule is at TheBigCheeseOsthoff.com. The Osthoff Resort is at 101 Osthoff Ave., off Highway 67.

— Carol Deptolla