Big Food Bucket List Season 1 Episode 11 Say Cheese

In the eleventh episode of the first season of Big Food Bucket List, titled "Say Cheese", host Christie Pitson visits the picturesque state of Vermont to explore the world of cheese.

Christie starts her journey at Shelburne Farms, a sustainable farm that produces award-winning cheese. She meets the farm's cheesemaker, Nat Bacon, who explains the process of cheese making and how they strive to maintain a sustainable environment. Christie gets to taste some of their best cheese, including cheddar, smoked gouda, and their signature clothbound cheese.

Next, Christie heads to the town of Waterbury to visit the Ben & Jerry's factory, which is famous for its ice cream. However, she is surprised to discover that Ben & Jerry's also makes a line of "Cheesecake Core" ice cream, which is essentially cheesecake in ice cream form. She meets the team behind the ice cream and gets a behind-the-scenes look at how they make their iconic flavors.

Christie then visits the Plymouth Artisan Cheese factory, which has been making cheese for over 100 years. She tours the factory and sees how their cheddar cheese is made using traditional methods. The factory has a unique feature - a cheese aging cave where guests can taste their aged cheese and sip on wine. Christie tries some of their aged cheese and is blown away by the rich and complex flavors.

The next stop on Christie's cheesemaking journey is at the Vermont Cheese Trail, which is a collection of local cheesemakers that offer tasting and tours. She visits the Grafton Cheese factory and meets the team behind their award-winning cheese. Grafton specializes in mac and cheese, and Christie samples their delicious version which is made using their smoked cheddar.

Christie's final stop on her cheese tour is at the Cabot Cheese Annex in Quechee. Cabot is one of the oldest cheesemakers in Vermont and is famous for its cheddar cheese. At the annex, Christie meets the cheesemaker, Craig Gile, who walks her through the process of making their signature cheddar. She also has a chance to try some of their different flavors, including everything from habanero to garlic to dill.

Throughout the episode, Christie is constantly reminded of Vermont's rich dairy heritage and its commitment to sustainable farming practices. She is blown away by the passion and dedication of the cheesemakers she meets and the quality of their products. The episode serves as a tribute to the art of cheesemaking and the importance of supporting local producers.

In the end, "Say Cheese" is a heartwarming and informative episode that celebrates Vermont's unique food culture and its love affair with cheese. Christie's enthusiasm and curiosity are contagious, and viewers are left with a newfound appreciation for the craft of cheesemaking.