News release. Original replaced with a corrected version.
Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese of Austin, KY is the recipient of the prestigious 2012 American Treasures Award in recognition of its artisanal, raw-milk cow cheeses. The award is given annually to individuals and small producers in recognition of a singular and significant contribution that both preserves and fosters a unique All American craft and tradition. Winners are selected by Made: In America, a not-for-profit educational organization based in Washington, D.C.
The award will be presented at the annual Take Pride in America celebration held at the United States Capitol on July 4, 2012. Kenny’s Cheese is being recognized for their singular leadership in preserving Farmstead cheese making in Kentucky.
The culmination of the awards is the American Treasures Culinary Experience to be held at the Washington Design Center in Washington, DC on July 4. . The tasting event will include Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese products along with food prepared by nationally-known chefs including Nick Stefanelli of Enoteca/Osteria Bibiana, in Washington, DC and Adam Sobel, Bourbon Steak, Washington, DC; Bryan Voltaggio, VOLT, Fredericksburg, MD; Sean Brock, McCrady’s, Charleston, SC; Steve Geddes, Local 127, Cincinnati, OH; Dan O’Brien, Seasonal Pantry, Washington, DC and mixologist Derek Brown, The Passenger/Columbia Room, Washington, DC. Tickets to the event can be purchased by going to the MADE: In America web-site: www.madeinamerica-usa.org. and clicking on Take Pride in America.
About Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese:
Dairy farming for over 30 years and making cheese for fourteen in Barren County, Kentucky, Kenny Mattingly and Family have been engaged in servicing the Kentucky and Tennessee region with artisanal raw-milk cheeses. The Mattingly’s, including Kenny’s wife Beverly, son Jared, and an extended family of employees, adhere to sustainable farming and business practices. The cows are raised without any synthetic hormones, and every step of the cheese making process takes place on the farm.
“In the summer of 2009 I tasted a selection of Cheese from Kenny’s Farmhouse and from that moment on I have featured these raw cow’s milk treats at the restaurant. The quality of the cheese crafted by Kenny and his team along with their ongoing commitment to excellence is the reason I nominated Kenny Mattingly and his farm for an American Treasures Award”
--Steven Geddes
Executive Chef
Restaurant Local 127
There will be a further celebration of the award on August 19th at Local 127 in Cincinnati, featuring Kenny’s Cheeses as well as the skills of Chef Geddes and his team.
It has always been the commitment of Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese to serve the region in proximity of the farm, focusing primarily on Louisville, Lexington and Nashville. Now that that has been happening for quite some time with success and measures are in place to ensure that it will continue, a slow growth outside of the local zone is beginning. Restaurants and specialty retailers in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, and beyond beginning to take notice of what is being produced by their neighbors to the South. Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese is rapidly becoming a new face within the American Farmstead cheese movement.
Past Winners include:
Old Rip VanWinkle Distillery
Rogue Creamery
Tennessee Truffles
Woodlands Pork