About 80 students, faculty, and staff gathered to sample 11 artisan cheeses at the First Annual French Cheese Festival held at Garden City High School's (GCHS) Le Circle Franais to mark National French Week, Nov. 2 to Nov. 8.

According to the American Cheese Society "artisan cheeses are produced primarily by hand, in small batches, with particular attention paid to the tradition of the cheesemaker's art." As little mechanization as possible is used to make artisan cheeses, so factories tend to be small. The cheeses produced may be made from all types of milk and may include flavorings.

The menu included Pave du Nord from the Ile de France located between Paris and Orleans; Port Salut, from La Bretagne (Brittany); and Istara, from the Basque Pyrennes. Tasting notes described each cheese and its region of origin and advised tasters to cleanse their palates between cheeses with crackers and fruit. The festival also included imported French beverages and bread, as well as a sampling of contemporary French music.

The festival was organized by Mary Kelly, President of the French Club; Tara McAndrews, President of the French National Honor Society; GCHS teacher and advisor Jeannot Barr; and Peter Giacalone, District Coordinator for World Languages. Other National French Week events included scavenger hunts, morning music playlists, and other cultural activities and programs.