Artisanal Cheese Dairy in SE Georgia Benefits from New Head Cheese

Swainsboro, Georgia (March 4, 2008) – Last summer, Flat Creek Lodge celebrated the opening of the second licensed artisanal cheese dairy in Georgia. In less than a year, the micro-dairy earned a nomination for the “2008 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year” award, which is co-sponsored by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and Dairy Today magazine. This spring, Flat Creek Lodge has another reason to rejoice – a new Head Cheese Maker with plenty of creative ideas and a retail arm that will help get the Flat Creek cheeses out to lucky cheese lovers throughout Georgia.

Head Cheesemaker Dane Huebner has come to Flat Creek Lodge with plenty of cheese making credentials. With a background in microbiology, Huebner began his career in beer production then worked as a scientist in a bakery. Traveling to Vietnam, he researched fermented fish products before realizing his desire to develop cheeses. He served as Research Chef and Cheesemaker at Cedar Grove Cheese in Wisconsin where he developed different cheese and flavors for private label companies, helping them win cheese awards.

With the Flat Creek Lodge Dairy for four months, Huebner has already been hard at work making local versions of some of his favorite cheeses from around the world as well as coming up with several of his own American Originals. Since elements like type of milk, microbes and the terroir affect the flavor of every cheese, no cheese can ever be exactly duplicated. So Flat Creek Cheddar will only taste like Flat Creek Cheddar.

“Cheese making is about combining ideas that already exist to make something new,” says Huebner. That “something new” has played out as local Cheddar and Leiden, but also an American Original – the Flat Creek Farmhouse, which is an aged farmhouse style that has been wrapped and covered in white mold. (It actually is aging now and will be ready in about six months!) Huebner has also created Aztec Cheddar, a traditional hand-milled Cheddar with cocoa and guajillo peppers, bringing a very old culinary idea to cheese.

Huebner is not flying solo in the Dairy; he has plenty of assistance from Cheese Maker Fred Faye and Cheese Monger Rip Williams. Faye also comes to Flat Creek from Wisconsin and has a background in milk processing.

“Dane comes up with a lot of ideas, and that is exciting,” says Faye. “We have the opportunity to try many different cheeses and are not limited by one or two products.” What happens to the cheese after sufficient aging is up to Williams who has been presenting the cheeses at farmer’s markets throughout Georgia. Last fall, Flat Creek Lodge cheeses came to Atlanta for a farmers market on Northside Drive, and they were also found at Taste of Atlanta as well as Tour de Champagne last month. This spring and summer, Williams plans to take the cheese on the road every weekend. He is also talking with high-end retailers and wholesalers who cater to restaurants about carrying special lines of the cheeses. 
Flat Creek Lodge cheeses are currently available at the Flat Creek property, online or by placing a telephone order. Like certain cheese complements, cheese itself gets better with age. Look for flavors like Vidalia Onion Cheddar and a naturally smoked cheese to reach maturity this fall!

Located just three hours southeast of Atlanta, Flat Creek Lodge welcomes the discerning sportsman and sportswoman to an unforgettable hunting and fishing adventure. Amid a pristine and private woodland preserve, guests can stay in the main Lodge or in a private Cottage.  Visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities, relax in the Spa, or pamper themselves in the uniquely designed Japanese Bathhouse before experiencing the cuisine in the Flat Creek Lodge Dining Room.  Menus feature fresh, seasonal herbs, fruits, and vegetables, wild game and seafood from the Golden Isles of Georgia.  Dining on Friday and Saturday evenings is four or five courses paired with just the right wine.  The 2,000-acre Flat Creek Lodge is located at 367 Bishop Chapel Church Road, Swainsboro, Georgia 30401. The Lodge can be reached at 478.237.FISH or 877.352.8273.  It can also be visited online at www.flatcreeklodge.com.