The Return of Fallcuterie

But do we retire the cheese puns?

The air is crisp, the days are getting shorter, the first day of fall is finally here! I’m currently traveling to Sonoma for a friend’s wedding (my third one this month, it’s a full-time job) and very excited to spend some time in Northern California. After this, I’m heading to Wisconsin on Friday for the Art of Cheese Festival where I’ll be teaching two workshops, followed by two cheese parties in Chicago and Nashville. Tickets are almost sold out, so if you want to come hang I suggest you snag one!

My “chill time at home” in New York last week turned out to be a wild adventure. Got to meet Stanley Tucci and attend his new cookware launch at Williams Sonoma (an absolute legend), interviewed Ubah from The Real Housewives of New York for Radio Cherry Bombe (out soon!) and finally conceptualizing a third cookbook idea. It got me thinking about the charcuterie landscape on the internet these days and the use of “cheese puns.” Enter: Fallcuterie.

Three years ago, I came up with the term “Fallcuterie.” Plates of cheese overflowed with pumpkins, brimming with autumnal colors and the occasional dried flowers for an extra pop. I even taught “Fallcuterie” cheese classes, showing people how to make the perfect intricate leaf design on a wheel of brie. I’ve had a great time creating punny cheese plates over the years, like the iconic charcuterwreath, the halloween favorite char-boo-terie and the Thanksgiving classic, the charcuturkey.

Although I’m all about having fun with cheese plates, these puns eventually took on a life of their own on the internet like every viral thing does. The actual nuances of the cheese pairings got lost along the way as plate aesthetics took priority. Trust me, I never want to shame kitschy plates (take a look at my new cookbook and you’ll find all three of these plates mentioned above with step by step guides and Cheese By Numbers maps) but I want to encourage creating out of respect to the actual cheese on the plate instead of finding the next new way to “wow” the internet. Is this partially fueled by my trip to France and seeing how they enjoy cheese in a simple and beautiful way? Maybe. But I think it’s also about diving into what makes cheese special, and thoughtful pairings should take priority over a prosciutto-shaped flesh hand with string cheese for Halloween (yes, it’s a real thing I saw the other day)

So that being said, let’s dive in to some of my favorite autumn cheese pairings! While you taste test these pairings, I suggest you listen to That Fallcuterie Playlist to transport you to a cozy, woodsy scene.

FOR A CLASSIC: Aged Cheddar + Gala Apples

One of my favorite classic fall pairings is cheddar and apples. Fall is apple picking season and the combination of sweet and salty can’t be beat. This pairing really has no bounds, there are so many different types of cheddar to explore as well as apple varieties. A sharp, crumbly aged cheddar with a sweet gala apple is a must. If you’re unsure which type of cheddar to pair with, see here for a deep dive.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS: Bayley Hazen Blue and Maple Syrup

Blue cheese lovers, this is for you. Bayley Hazen Blue from Jasper Hill in Vermont is one of my all time favorites. It’s creamy, has the perfect punch of spice and a subtle taste of sweetness. Maple syrup is the perfect “opposites attract” scenario here, and the fall always reminds me of sweet maple flavors.

FOR THE FALL FEELS: Smoked Gouda and Candied Walnuts

This pairing feels like sitting next to a warm fire on a crisp autumn evening. The smokiness of the gouda perfectly blends with the sweetness of the walnuts. I also love how the walnuts bring out the nutty notes of the cheese.

FOR SOMETHING SWEET: Fresh Chèvre and Cranberry Preserves

This pairing might be entering Thanksgiving territory, but I don’t see a problem with it! I love the combination of a fresh goat cheese with a sweet and tangy cranberry jam. The tang of the cranberry matches the mild lemony notes of the goat cheese while the creaminess of the goat cheese balances out the bite.

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FALL CHEESE PLATE + RECIPE ROUNDUP

Here are some of my favorite cheese plates and recipes to make for the fall season, with grocery lists and photos!