Having a Cheesy Time

The theme for the meeting last week was definitely cheese. Brian Dick of the Cheese Gourmet in Linden came to speak to the club about his unique exchange experience in Switzerland and brought a sampler of cheeses from the shop to spoil those members present.

A cheese sampler for New Dawn from the Cheese Gourmet in Linden

     Brian and his wife, Jo, own the Cheese Gourmet, considered by far the best cheese shop in Johannesburg. They sell only local cheese, sourced from farms and producers all over the country.
     They were approached last year to take part in a TV program where they would spend time on a farm in Linden, Switzerland, while the farm owners travelled to South Africa to run the Cheese Gourmet.
     Their mutual experiences served as material for an episode in a TV series involving exchanges all over the world.

Brian Dick telling about his Swiss experiences

     As you can imagine, a visit to one of the few remaining Emmental cheese makers was a highlight of the exchange for Johannesburg's Mister Cheese.
     The farm where they were staying, had a herd of only 24 Holstein cows, and the milk is delivered to the cheesemaker.
     Brian said it takes 1200 liters of milk to make one Emmental cheese, weighing in at a whopping 96kg. Only two cheeses per day are made.

What's an Emmental without its' holes!

     The holes which are so typical of Emmental cheese, are made by a process of fermentation over a time of 4 - 5 months.
     Another visit between bouts of farming was to make cowbells, another dying art in Switzerland.
     Brian said they were given the equivalent of R1600 per day to live on, which to many would be a fortune. In a country with a minimum wage of about R40 000 it only just stretched far enough, he said!
     Their Swiss German counterparts enjoyed their stay in Linden, Johannesburg, but found it difficult to get used to having labour in the home and the restaurant in such plentiful supply, Brian said.
     The Cheese Gourmet is at 71 7th Street, Linden and well worth a visit.
     A date to remember: The meeting this week will go ahead as planned on Wednesday morning, but don't forget the membership evening at around 6.30 pm, also at Parkview Golf Club. Quite a few members have indicated that they're bringing guests. It promises to be a fun evening. Be there!
     New club officers (president, secretary, treasurer and foundation chair) must diaries Saturday, 23rd April at the Krugersdorp Golf Club for PETS. Carol, the incoming secretary, went last weekend.
     Our thoughts go to: Joan Donet, who lost her older brother, Colin, to a stroke last week. On a more joyous note, Jankees and Judy are now Ouma and Oupa! Their daughter, Genevieve, gave birth to a daughter in London on Sunday.
     A thought for the week: You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. - Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)