Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause

Otsego 2000 to Host Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause on Sunday, February 2
Benefit for the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market features local chefs and local cheese

Come to Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause, get your tickets today!

Otsego 2000 will host Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause on Sunday, February 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  The event, which raises funds for the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, will feature gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, soup, and desserts made by local chefs, and local beer, wine, and cider. Held during the Cooperstown Winter Carnival, Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause will take place in the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, 101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown.

(Update: The 2025 Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause is now sold out. We appreciate the terrific response!)

Chefs participating include: Tim Searles of Doubleday Café, Brian Wrubleski of Mel’s at 22, Jesse Pascale of Rock Hill Farm, Michelle Iannelli-Rubin of Social Eats Café, Dasang Gurung of Norbu, Peter Calhoun of the Otesaga, Anthony Leberto of Brimstone Bakery, Julio Rubio of the Lakehouse 1843, Dan Wisnosky of the Elm Inn, Chloe Ford of Chloe’s Bakeshop, Pam DiLiberto of By the Handful, and Alex Webster, the Farmers’ Market manager who also owns Alex’s World Picnic. Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches will be made with local cheeses, including Painted Goat Farm Chèvre, Mountain View Dairy Swiss and Camembert, Byebrook Farm Gouda, Harpersfield Farmstead Tilsit, Spurbeck’s Cheddar, and Trollbok Farm Hushallsost (Swedish Farmer Cheese). The Stoddard Hollow String Band will perform traditional American music and feature Marvin Zachow (fiddle & vocals), Ed McGee (banjo), Frank Frazzitta (guitar & vocals), and Tom Ives (bass).

“Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause has become a much beloved mid-winter tradition since we started it in 2012, now an annual finale to the Cooperstown Winter Carnival. We are grateful to our talented local chefs and cheesemakers for making fundraising for the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market so delicious and fun,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000. She noted that last year’s event sold out in advance. “We also are very grateful to Heidelberg for donating bread,” she added.

Tickets to the event are $35/adult and $15/child 6 – 12 years. Children under six are admitted free of charge. Admission includes tastes of chef’s grilled cheese creations, soup, dessert, and one free beer, wine, or cider. Space is limited. Tickets can be purchased at otsego2000.org, at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., by calling 607/547- 8881, or by stopping in between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Otsego 2000 offices located at 101 Main Street, down Pioneer Alley, in Cooperstown.

The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, founded by Otsego 2000 in 1991, supports local farmers, makers, growers, and artisans and offers a direct connection between producer and consumer. The Market operates year-round on Saturdays, 10 am – 2 pm January through April, and 9 am – 2 pm May through December. EBT welcome, and with SNAP Match programs, shoppers spending $20 in EBT receive $60 in local food.