When Yale '85 alumni Sharon Ruwart and her husband Tom Melcher moved to China in 2004, she figured she’d have to put her longstanding cheese-appreciation hobby on hold because cheese and China didn't seem to mix. A few months into their stay, she realized that the “gap” was really an opportunity – and the Beijing Cheese Society was born. Sharon and her army of “cheese mules” brought artisanal cheeses from around the world back to Beijing for monthly tastings of hard-to-find specimens, including award-winners from cheese powerhouses like France and England to who-knew wonders from countries like South Africa, Georgia, Russia, and Israel.

As the “Cheese Vixen of China,” Sharon enjoyed minor – very minor - celebrity status, appearing on Chinese and international TV, radio and magazines, educating and entertaining thousands of people over nearly a decade in Beijing and leaving behind a legion of turophiles. On moving to New York City, Sharon and Tom have kept the Society alive, hosting themed tastings of unusual and delicious cheeses in their upper west side home. For her first foray into Foodtober, Sharon has chosen the theme of Women in Cheese, and will offer participants a fun and fascinating evening featuring a lot of cheese, wine (of course!), light bites and the famous Cheese Quiz. Come hungry!

Sharon will be hosting this event in her home in Columbus Circle, Upper West Side, Manhattan. The exact address will be provided with your ticket purchase.

Foodtober is a month of activities and events celebrating and examining our connection to food. Foodtober is organized by the Yale Alumni Association of New York, connecting Yalies with each other and our communities. Net proceeds from Foodtober events have benefitted the Yale Sustainable Food Project, City Growers and Just Food, and support ongoing programming at Yale.NYC — to date, we have raised over $18,000!

This event has a limited number of tickets. Please purchase yours now to assure your spot.

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