Cheeses take the wheel: Canberra’s Cheese Slices crew is back!
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It’s been 16 years since Canberra’s Cheese Slices last gathered, but now the band is back together for a very special cheese-focused mission.
It was 2003, and Richard Grainger from Grainger Gallery was working as a cameraman/editor at the Parliament House Press Gallery. His good friend, cinematographer, Roger Price, had called him with a special offer – quit your job at SBS and come and work with him as a sound guy, traveling the world on a documentary series about the world’s best cheese. For cheese-obsessed Grainger, it was an offer too good to refuse.
Australia’s cheese king, Will Studd, had recently had to bury 80 kg of roquefort in a coffin draped in the French tricolour flag after the Australian government banned the import of raw milk cheese. It set Will off on a mission: to make a TV series dedicated to promoting artisanal cheesemaking from raw milk to keep these old traditions alive. It just happened that the producer of the show worked at Capital TV network with Roger and asked him to film the show.
Richard and Roger – Morbier cheese, Franche-Comte, France 2005. Credit: Michael Ross Robionson.
From there, the world’s longest-running TV show about cheese was produced. Roger Price worked on it for more than 20 years, and while he left the show around 2010, over a decade later his passion for cheese has never waned.
After purchasing the Geelong Street Fyshwick location for Grainger Gallery, owners Richard and Kacy have diversified the gallery’s program with several events this year, including the Canberra Cheese Festival. But now, Will Studd and Richard are going back to where it all began with Fromage, Fizz and Flowers.
Richard Grainger, Kaitlyn Towner and Kacy Grainger. Credit: Jess Brown – JBR Studio.
Taking place on Saturday 10 October as part of Floriade About Town, the exclusive evening will transform the gallery into a sophisticated setting for an evening of indulgence and discovery. From bubbling raclette and pasta tossed through a Parmesan wheel to caviar and a Will Studd-curated grazing station, the evening will be a celebration of all things cheese – including a cheese-inspired dessert.
Accompanied by live jazz by Simon’s Jazz Trio, your ticket will also include a special masterclass from Will Studd himself, where he’ll share stories, traditions, and tasting notes from the world of artisan cheese. Add in some bottomless Mada Prosecco and wine and Capital Brewing Co beer and you have a un-brie-lievable night out.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Fromage, Fizz and Flowers
When: Saturday 10 October, 6 pm – 10 pm
Where: Grainger Gallery, 1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick
Tickets + more information: events.humanitix.com
Feature image: Roger Price and Richard Grainger in Larzac, France, 2006. Credit: Michael Ross Robinson.
