Dallas - June 21, 2005

Free to Brie You and Me

Gourmet Concepts

You’re not really a cheese whiz. But Cheez Whiz? Now that’s a different story.

Kraft singles wrapped in plastic, Velveeta squares jabbed with toothpicks … they’re all part of the wonderful world of barely dairy.

Perhaps it’s time to expand. Gourmet Concepts is just the place to start. The store in Grapevine’s historic district specializes in gourmet cheese from around the globe. Try a golden Brie, a rich and salty Saint André, or a piquant yet mellow buttermilk blue. Savor hard-to-find favorites like epoisse, fleur du maquis, and Humboldt Fog.

Regular cheese-themed classes teach you how to cook with curds, and if you’re not up for DIY, an on-site cafe features some of your new finds. Not to mention the wide variety of cutting boards, platters, knives, and pots for sale. It’s everything you need to choose, cut, and serve cheese. They’ll even fill you in on fondue.

Which, by the way, in civilized circles, is the only acceptable form of liquefied cheese.

Gourmet Concepts, 413 South Main Street, Grapevine (214-277-2485 or gourmetconceptsonline.com).