Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine will host its first annual Artisan Producer Festival - a free event to meet Pastoral’s featured culinary artisans from throughout the U.S. - on Saturday, April 30th, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Chicago French Market. With live music setting the scene, attendees will have the opportunity to celebrate small batch foods and sample an array of Pastoral’s handcrafted products, beer and wine.

The lineup showcased at the European-style neighborhood cheese shop now includes more than 35 producers and features more than 12 cheesemakers, including Illinois’ own Prairie Fruits Farm, Michigan’s Zingerman’s Creamery, Vermont’s renowned Jasper Hill Farm and Vermont Creamery, as well as a host of other award-winning cheese makers from Wisconsin and around the country.

Additionally, there will be a variety of artisans who produce Pastoral’s distinctive sweet and savory accompaniments, including Michigan’s Seedling Farms, local favorites DAS Caramelini, Sweet Margy Confections and Bennison’s Bakery, Minnesota’s Ames Honey, Wisconsin’s Potter’s Organic Crackers with Quince & Apple handmade preserves, Chicago’s own Half Acre Beer Company and Goose Island Brewery, plus New York’s Salumeria Biellese and Sourpuss Pickles among others.

In true Pastoral style - whose mission is to make buying and eating great food and wine a fun, inviting and educational experience for its customers - many of the cheesemakers will also be working alongside the winemakers, beer producers and artisans who make Pastoral’s small batch accompaniments to create what is sure to be delicious pairings. The event will also feature artisan producers featured at Pastoral’s neighboring Chicago French Market vendors including; Delightful Pastries; Fumare Meats; Les Fleurs; Produce Express; RAW; Sweet Miss Giving’s; and Vanille Patisserie and more. So in addition to the samplings, guests have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about pairing ideas from the experts themselves. Click here for a complete list of participating vendors.

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine has three locations throughout the city – Lakeview, the Loop, and the Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton Ave.) - where the festival will be held. For more information, call 312-454-2200, or visit http://pastoralartisan.com/