"Eat The Art" With Castello® Cheese At Grand Central Terminal

NEW YORK, June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Visitors to New York City's Grand Central Terminal on Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27, are invited to literally "Eat the Art" showcased at a creatively crafted, two-day pop-up gallery featuring edible works of art. The event is courtesy of Castello^® cheese, which has been elevating cheese making to an art since 1893.

Located on the west side of Vanderbilt Hall, this epicurean gallery will display a selection of famous still life prints alongside ready-to-eat replicas fashioned of Castello^® cheese. Guests will be invited to enjoy premium Castello^® cheese by removing and eating samples directly from the artwork.

"Innovation, tradition and the art of cheese making have been Castello^® hallmarks for more than 120 years," said Susan Burris, Castello^® brand manager. "Like the artists showcased at our one-of-a-kind gallery, Castello^® is fueled by creativity and a passion for discovery. We are delighted for food lovers to experience the art of creatively crafted cheese as we bring Castello^® to life upon a new canvas."

Celebrating the Art of Creatively Crafted Cheese
Beginning with the visionary Rasmus Tholstrup at the end of the 19^th century, Castello^® cheese makers have long been recognized as true craftsmen whose work, like that of celebrated artists, has inspired and delighted those who experience the final products.

"Eat the Art" will pay homage to the Castello^® heritage of creative craftsmanship and culinary innovation by fashioning edible representations of still life pieces from such revered painters as Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, Raphaelle Peale and Antoine Vollon.

Castello^® will celebrate the art of cheese with food lovers via its "Eat the Art" gallery. Offering a unique sensory experience, guests will be encouraged to see, smell and eat the art by removing slices of gourmet cheese from the Castello^® replicas.

Thousands of additional samples of Castello^® Aged Havarti — which is launching in the U.S. in August — will be given to passersby who want to delight in this buttery, nutty and delectable cheese. Samples will be available throughout the day, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27.

Renowned food artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton will be on site during the two-day event to hand-carve a sculpture completely from Castello^® Alps Selection Hirten cheese. Their other sculptures are featured in private and public collections including the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. They recently created three custom cheese sculptures for Castello^® of iconic New York City landmarks.

"We are honored to be a part of this unparalleled gallery experience," said Victor. "Connoisseurs of fine food and art alike will delight in the aesthetic of the realism and post-impressionism art and the delectable taste of Castello^® creatively crafted cheese."

Featured Works of Art and Castello^® cheeses

Still Life With Cheeses, Artichoke and Cherries – Clara Peeters
1625, Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Castello^® cheeses: Black, Creamy Havarti, Traditional Danish Blue and Alps Selection Weissbier

Like Rasmus Tholstrup, Clara Peeters was a true innovator. One of the few known female Flemish artists of the 17^th century, she was among the first to specialize in still life paintings. Sharing the Castello^® passion for discovery, Peeters was hailed for her ability to evoke a human presence through cut fruit, or partially eaten food – traits that are showcased in "Still Life With Cheeses, Artichoke and Cherries."

Still Life of Bread, Butter and Cheese – George Smith
1754, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Castello^® cheese: Alps Selection Weissbier

Castello^® cheeses carry the tradition and story of a strong local culture. So, too, does the work of George Smith, a British painter and poet who was among the first in England to paint local scenery in the classical French Baroque style. Smith's masterful technique and gentle observation are on display in "Still Life of Bread, Butter and Cheese."

Jar of Apricots – Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin
1758, Art Gallery of Ontario
Castello^® cheese: Traditional Danish Blue

Any gallery celebrating a heritage and tradition of creative craftsmanship must include Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, one of the supreme artists of the 18^th century and arguably history's greatest master of still life. Chardin's balance of innovation and tradition, like that of Castello^® cheese makers, has inspired and delighted for centuries.

Cheese With Three Crackers – Raphaelle Peale
1813, Location Unknown
Castello^® Cheese: Aged Havarti

Never content to just make standard cheeses, Castello^® has tried to be creative by using ingredients and techniques from all over the world. Perhaps inspired by Spanish art he saw during a trip to South America, Raphaelle Peale became America's first professional still-life painter. "Cheese With Three Crackers" illustrates the skill and technique that elevated his work to national acclaim.

Still Life With Bottles, Wine and Cheese – John F. Francis
1857, High Museum of Art, Atlanta
Castello^® cheese: Alps Selection Hirten

From its wine bottle with a slightly peeling label to the rich and varied texture on its wedge of cheese, "Still Life With Bottles, Wine and Cheese" is a testament to John F. Francis' precision. This acute attention to detail, which made Francis one of America's top mid-19^th century still life artists, has been a hallmark of Castello^® cheese makers for nearly as long.

Still Life With Cheese – Antoine Vollon
Late 1870s, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Castello^® cheese: Saga Classic Blue Brie

Hailed as a second Chardin, the artisan expertise and technical virtuosity of Antoine Vollon is showcased in his "Still Life With Cheese." His distinctively detailed cheese wheel calls to mind the unique flavor and texture of creatively crafted Castello^® cheeses.

#CastelloArt
The Castello^® Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@CastelloUSA) channels will be used to curate and share photos of the event. Content will be tagged #CastelloArt.

Continuing the Culinary Journey
New York-area foodies are also invited to the Castello^® New York Pop-up Store. Open through July 6 at 462 West Broadway in New York City's SoHo neighborhood, the store offers visitors a selection of premium cheeses; interactive tastings; elegant, made-to-order premium cheese "layer cakes" (from wheels of cheese) for celebrations; mini seminars on preparing and entertaining with cheese; and in-store sculpting demonstrations.

To learn more about Castello^® cheese, find delicious recipes and more, visit castellocheeseusa.com.

Contact:
Matt Hodson
Spong
(612) 375-8534
[email protected]

SOURCE Castello