Little Falls, NY — Visitors to the Little Falls Cheese Festival will have the opportunity to experience New York cheese in a whole new way during Taste New York Cheese, a series of three guided tasting sessions taking place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Rock City Centre (690 East Main Street, Little Falls, NY 13365), located at the end of the festival route.
“The Little Falls Cheese Fest Planning Committee is very excited to welcome The Cheese Traveler and this carefully curated lineup of educational tastings. The classes are a wonderful opportunity for interested participants to take a break from the excitement of the festival AND take a deep dive into the fascinating world of cheese!” —Suzie Jones, Little Falls Cheese Festival Committee Volunteer
Hosted by The Cheese Traveler of Albany, each 60-minute session is led by proprietor and head cheesemonger Mary Rizzo, one of New York’s most respected cheese educators. Through guided tastings and engaging storytelling, Mary makes artisan cheese approachable while sharing the craftsmanship and traditions behind every bite.
Designed specifically for cheese enthusiasts, not industry professionals, each session will feature a unique selection of cheeses generously donated by New York cheesemakers. Guests will enjoy guided tastings while learning about the science, history, craftsmanship, and techniques that make every style of cheese unique. A portion of the proceeds from Taste New York Cheese will benefit the New York State Cheese Council (NYSCC) and The Meeting of the Milkmaids.
Founded by Rachel Banks, Recipe Development Specialist and Caves Manager at Eden Valley Creamery, the New York State Cheese Council works to strengthen New York’s cheese community through education, outreach, and awareness. The Meeting of the Milkmaids, founded by Rebecca Collins Brooks, farmer and farmstead cheesemaker, connects, supports, and empowers women in the cheese world by building collaboration, mentorship, and community.
GUIDED TASTING SCHEDULE
10:30 a.m. – New York Cheese: The Basics Every great cheese has a story. Discover why cheddar tastes so different from Gouda, why Alpine-style cheeses melt so beautifully, and how milk, cultures, and cheesemaking techniques create entirely different styles. This session is perfect for anyone looking to build confidence and gain a better understanding of the cheeses they enjoy.
1:00 p.m. – Look at Those Rinds! Take a closer look at one of cheese’s most fascinating features – the rind. Explore bloomy, washed, natural, clothbound, waxed, and other rind styles while discovering how each influences flavor, aroma, texture, and aging. You’ll also learn when the rind is meant to be eaten – and when it’s perfectly acceptable to leave it behind.
3:00 p.m. – New York Is More Than Cheddar…But it’s Where We Began. Cheddar helped establish New York as one of America’s great cheesemaking states, but there’s much more to discover. This tasting explores cheddar’s history, how it is made, and how dramatically it changes over time. Participants will sample cheddar at several stages of maturity – including fresh curds and an extraordinary 17-year-aged cheddar – along with examples made from different milk types and production styles.
Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes, features a different selection of New York artisan cheeses, and is limited to 35 participants to provide an intimate and interactive experience.
Advance tickets are $35 per person. If seats remain available, tickets will be sold at the door for $45 per person. Discount for all three sessions!
Reserve your seat: Eventbrite: TasteNewYorkCheese.eventbrite.com/
Seating is limited, and advanced registration is strongly encouraged.
By attending Taste New York Cheese, guests are not only enjoying exceptional artisan cheeses, they are helping to support educational programming, outreach and critically important initiatives that strengthen New York’s cheese community while fostering the next generation of cheese enthusiasts and professionals. Every ticket purchased helps advance the missions of both the New York State Cheese Council and The Meeting of the Milkmaids, ensuring that New York’s rich cheesemaking tradition continues to grow and thrive.
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