Slow Food Pittsburgh is trying to make local cheese a “thing.”

Through the group’s “Better Cheese for The Burgh” program, they offer stipends that allow local cheesemakers to study with experts in the United States and abroad.

And now they’re planning a “Kickoff for the Year of Pennsylvania Cheese” – a tasting party featuring “un-boring cheese boards” from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at Butterjoint in Oakland.

Cheesemongers Alix Wiggins of Wheel and Wedge (a cheese shop in the Pittsburgh Public Market) and Caldwell Linker of East End Food Co-op are preparing the cheese boards. Attendees can choose between Ms. Wiggins’ board and Ms. Linker’s board; both will be priced at $10. Ms. Linker’s cheese selections are still under wraps, but Ms. Wiggin said she’ll feature two Pennsylvania cheeses as well as a New York cheese that is new for Wheel and Wedge – “Dutch Knuckle” from Sugar House Creamery in Upper Jay, N.Y. Ms. Wiggins describes this cheese as a raw cow’s milk alpine-style cheese with a nutty, grassy flavor. Wheel and Wedge is the only Pennsylvania shop selling cheese from this creamery.

Chef Trevett Hooper of Legume will provide sweet and savory accoutrements to pair with the cheeses – pickles, sauces and other nibbles.

Legume Bar Manager Will Groves will make “Cheesemakers Punch.” The specifics haven’t been announced, but his specialty is Prohibition-era punches. Customers can order a cup of punch alongside the cheese board for $2. Or they can add a beer flight or cocktail flight that has been selected for pairing with the cheeses.

Slow Food Pittsburgh paid for Ms. Wiggins and Ms. Linker to attend the American Cheese Society conference, where they trained with professionals who make, source and sell American artisan cheeses. The duo will be on hand Monday night to visit tables, sommelier-style, and tell people about what they’re eating.

“We’ll give them inside notes about what the cheesemakers are like, why we carry these cheeses and how they’re made,” Ms. Wiggins said.

“We hope to create more of a passion for local cheese.”

Meals and tastings

No Menu Monday: Chefs Chad Townsend and Dan Robinson cook up food to benefit Garfield Community Farm, an urban farm growing fresh, organic produce and serving the Garfield community. 5 to 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at Bar Marco in the Strip District. Menu selections and prices vary. Reservations: 412-471-1900.

Cream Soda Tastings: Cream soda tastings, including three chocolate sodas such as “Chocolate Covered Maple Bacon Soda.” 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Village Candy in Sewickley. Free, but register ahead by e-mailing creamychocolate@villagecandy.com.

Valentine’s Brunch for [Animal] Lovers: Ten-course, locally sourced, globally inspired, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free brunch including such dishes as chick pea tofu seviche, cauliflower “couscous,” cacao-avocado-coconut-orange mousse and more. 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at Schwartz Living Market, South Side. $30 to $40 per person. valentinesbrunch.brownpapertickets.com.

Fat Tuesday Creole Dinner: Four-course Creole dinner (oysters, crawfish, jambalaya, beignets) with accompanying beers from Louisiana’s Abita Brewing and cocktails from Pittsburgh’s Maggie’s Farm Distillery. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Hartwood Restaurant in Hartwood Acres, Hampton. $55. Reservations required: 412-767-3500.

Festivals

Alternative Souper Bowl: Local bands, Pitt Repertory Theatre performance, live broadcast on WYEP. Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland. Free admission, but bring a nonperishable donation (grocery, hygiene or cleaning products) for HEARTH H, a shelter for displaced women and children.

Sewickley Chocolate Walk: Walk through the Sewickley business district, browsing shops and sampling gourmet chocolate truffles, Cincinnati chili and other treats. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, starting at Explore Sewickley, where registrants will receive Chocolate Stop maps. $10 per person. sewickleychocolatewalk.com.

Lectures/demos

Pizza expert: Tony Gemignani, 11-time World Pizza Champion and author of “The Pizza Bible,” makes several appearances in the area. Lecture and demo: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Fairman Centre Auditorium in Punxsutawney ($30 includes “Pizza Bible” pizzas made by culinary students, wine samples and a copy of the book). Book signings: 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., Strip District, and 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at Caliente Pizza & Draft House, Bloomfield.

The Food Disconnect: Clinical psychologist Sarah Trafican discusses her research into modern Americans’ disconnect with their food sources as a result of changes in food production and marketing. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Gemini Theater, Point Breeze. Sponsored by East End Food Co-op. Free, but register ahead: 412-242-3598.

Environmentalism Starts on Your Plate: Jeffrey Cohan, executive director of Jewish Vegetarians of North America, compares plant- and animal-based diets’ environmental ramifications. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Repair the World Workshop, 6022 Broad St., East Liberty. Sponsored by East End Food Co-op. Free, but register ahead: 412-242-3598.

Getting to Know Our Food Policy Council: Dawn Plummer and Dora Walmsley of the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council discuss their mission to foster a just and sustainable food system in Southwestern Pennsylvania. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Gemini Theater, Point Breeze. Sponsored by East End Food Co-op. Free, but register ahead: 412-242-3598.

Charitable event

Pre-Oscar Night Fundraiser Gala: Live music, dinner, drinks, door prizes, games, screenings of clips from all the nominated movies. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Parkway Theater, McKees Rocks. $20 per person; $35 per couple. Ages 21 and up only. Proceeds benefit restoration of the theater. Tickets: 412-766-1668 or e-mail parkwaytheaterpgh@yahoo.com.

Rebecca Sodergren: pgfoodevents@hotmail.com or on Twitter @pgfoodevents.

First Published: January 29, 2015, 5:00 a.m.