After fifteen years of producing one of Vermont's biggest food and wine events, you'd think we'd have events out of our system. Apparently, we do not.

A few weeks ago, I attended the New Media Summit in Austin…it’s a conference largely focused on newsletters, as well as podcasts, YouTube channels, and the evolving business of digital media. What was interesting was how often the conversation kept circling back to one topic: the value of showing up in person.

I also ended up at dinner with her, along with a group of people I'd just met, at the end of the conference. It turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole trip. Strangers around a table, great food, conversation that went all over the map in the best way. You know how those nights go. Or if you don't yet…you should.

We've been cooking up something around that idea, and we'll be sharing details soon. Stay tuned…this one's going to be fun.

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There’s yet more good news on the Vermont food and beverage front this week, and plenty of it.

USA TODAY has named Hill Farmstead one of the best beer gardens in the country. If you've ever made the drive up to Greensboro on a sunny afternoon, you already knew this. Now it's official.

And Vermont cheesemakers had a dominant showing at this year's World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin, competing against cheesemakers from around the world across 75 categories. Jasper Hill was the star of the show, taking home three first-place finishes, in Blue Veined Cheeses With Exterior Molding, Open Class Soft-Ripened Cheeses, and Washed Rind/Smear Ripened Hard Cheeses. Vermont Creamery, Cabot Creamery, and Middlebury's Agri-Mark also brought home hardware.

Once again, not a bad week to be a Vermont food and drink producer.

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Tara Pereira, former Executive Director of the Vermont Fresh Network and a longtime force in Vermont's food system, attended the Cook the Farm program at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Sicily. Now she's bringing a piece of that experience home: she's arranged two upcoming events at Shelburne Farms featuring Fabrizia Lanza, the school's director. There’s a free public conversation moderated by Seven Days food writer Melissa Pasanen on May 9, and an immersive two-day cooking and farm experience on May 10 and 11. Both take place in the newly transformed Coach Barn, and registration is required for both.

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A few follow-ups from last week...

A big congratulations to Tammy Rudden, winner of our Whiskey Wine & Wishes raffle benefiting Make-A-Wish of Vermont and Northeast New York. Tammy and her hubby pulled it together for the last-minute trip to Saratoga and report it was an incredible time.

And the results of our National Cereal Day poll from last week are in, and the top vote-getter was... “None of the Above.” That’s right… "Other" took the crown, with Cap'n Crunch coming in second, followed by Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes.

It’s worth mentioning that the write-in responses for “Other” were a highlight. One reader described their childhood staple as "Fried Cheerios”…Cheerios fried in butter, covered in salt, served with a big glass of OJ. Another sad soul said, “None of these…our mom wouldn't let us have the good stuff.” Additional write-ins included Wheaties, Life, Cocoa Krispies, and something called Concentration…anyone else ever heard of this one?.

Thursdays are good nights to have things to do. And tonight, March 12, Barr Hill Distillery in Montpelier is hosting an evening of Local Delights from 5 to 7:30 p.m, bringing together Paprika Empanadas, Von Trapp Flowers and Farmhouse Chocolates for what sounds like a interesting combination and a very fun evening.

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Chocolaholics, you've been waiting for the Vermont Chocolate Festival, and this is your weekend. Adagio Chocolates is presenting the first-ever event on March 14 and 15 at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, bringing together chocolatiers and enthusiasts for tastings, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. Festivities kick off Friday evening with a chocolate tasting and a screening of Peace by Chocolate, with the main festival running Saturday from 11 to 5.

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Every Saturday in March, Juniper at Hotel Vermont is serving unlimited family-style fondue from 1 to 4, featuring melted Jasper Hill cheese and weekly wine pairings. It’s just $25 for unlimited fondue, and reservations are not required (but probably never hurt).

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The Amaro 101 guided tasting workshop at Specs in Winooski sold out before we could even tell you about it…which tells you exactly how good this is going to be. Six amaro tastings, two cocktail samples, light snacks, all for $44. It might be worth checking if there's a waitlist, and keeping an eye on Specs for future events like it.

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This one’s always a favorite: on Thursday, March 19, Bramble is hosting Wine & Friends VIII…their popular dinner series is back for a eighth installment. The menu is stunning: East Coast oysters, diver scallop crudo, black Berkshire pork shoulder, and chocolate filled cream puffs, all paired with hand-selected wines from the Bramble cellar, and all for just $90 (plus tax/fees). These events tend to sell out, so get your tickets early.

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City Market is running their first-ever Big Cheese Sale from March 18 through April 1 at both locations. More than 40 local, artisanal, and international cheeses will be on sale, plus you can check out demos and tastings throughout the run. Get all the details and demo schedule on their website.

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Burlington's Old North End is gearing up for its very first restaurant week, and there’s no doubt it’s going to be great. Taste the ONE runs from March 20 to 29, with eight neighborhood favorites — Gold, Fancy's, May Day, Kismayo Kitchen, Taco Gordo, The Wise Fool, Namaste Kitchen Express, and Poppy — offering special prix fixe menus ranging from $18 to $45. The ONE has become one of the most interesting dining neighborhoods in the city, and this is a great excuse to dig in.

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For fans of natural Vermont wines and ciders, Wine Up Vermont V.2 at Ellison Estate Vineyard in Stowe is back for a second year on March 21, with an industry hour from 4 to 5 p.m. and a grand tasting from 5 to 7. Check out more than 30 wines and ciders from Eden Ciders, Fable Farm, La Garagista, La Montañuela and Chertok and Ellison Estate, plus light snacks and the chance to chat directly with the winemakers. Tickets are $55; industry folks can email [email protected] for a discount.

This section may include affiliate links, which pay a small commission on sales. We only refer things that we feel are interesting or worth recommending.

We were recently introduced to Party Patch…a wellness patch designed to help your body process alcohol more efficiently and wake up feeling human the next day. We're hoping not to need one anytime soon (but curious enough to keep one in our back pocket, just in case). If you try this, we'd love to know what you think! Check it out here.

In closing…we’re fifteen issues in, and we are so grateful you've come along for the ride. Burlington Wine & Food started as a single annual event (and BTW, tickets are on sale now!). It now includes this newsletter and has grown into something that genuinely is feeling like a community. And we're just getting started.

You'll start to notice some advertising and sponsored content appearing in the newsletter in the coming weeks. We'll be keeping it selective, relevant, and clearly labeled. We’re offering options ranging from sponsorships and inline content to featured event listings and hospitality job postings. If you're a Vermont business looking to connect with our audience of more than 5,000 wine and food devotees, we'd love to talk. Reach out at [email protected] and let's figure out if it's a fit.

Here's to Issue 15…and the things coming next.