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The Cheese Whiz at La Posada de Santa Fe's Fuego Restaurant

Cheese Whiz Matt Merrill Spreads Cheese Knowledge with one of the Largest Selections in the Southwest

Santa Fe, New Mexico – Matt Merrill, The Cheese Whiz, is the undisputed expert on anything (and everything) cheese at the award-winning Fuego restaurant at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, a RockResort, in Santa Fe, NM.  Fuego’s cheese cart currently features one of the largest cheese selections in the Southwest with 24 varieties.
 
Matt has been in charge of the cheese program since its creation one year ago.  When guests order the cheese cart, he presents each selection with background, history, aging process, and little-known-facts.  Each week Matt performs cheese presentations during the hotel’s cheese & wine tasting for guests.  Fuego’s selection of cheeses include some unique varieties such as the Swiss Appenzeller Gold Label, Cone Du Port Aubrey “well-endowed woman cheese,” and Australian Roaring 40’s Cheese.  The cheeses are shipped from a variety of farmhouses including famed French cheese maker Herve Mons, a recipient of the prestigious “Best Artisan in France” award in the field of cheese making and aging.  There are only a handful of establishments that carry his famous cave-aged cheeses. 

Matt is truly passionate and enthusiastic about his cheeses, “I come in twice a week to baby the cheese.  I check to make sure that the cheese is wrapped and stored properly.  It is a living food, changing all the time.  I constantly monitor the taste to make sure that we have the best quality for our guests who range from the curious to the serious food-o-philes.  Since cheese plates are available throughout the day, it’s not uncommon to be summoned to the bar or even in a guest’s room to discuss the day’s cheese plate. It’s a bit like ‘have fromage...will travel.’ ”

The Cheese Whiz began his career at La Posada de Santa Fe as a captain in Fuego.  Together with Food and Beverage Director Michael McPhie, the two began making plans for the cheese program, and Matt’s passion for cheese was born.  Just one taste of French Morbier, a peasant style cheese, and Matt was hooked.  “The unique cheese program ideally compliments Fuego’s fine dining menu,” said McPhie.  “With Matt’s cheese expertise, we hope to provide diners with the perfect end to a fine dining experience.

The AAA 4-Diamond Award winning Fuego restaurant is the recent recipient of Wine Spectator Magazine’s Award of Excellence.  La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, a RockResort, is located in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The 157-room pueblo-style village resort is nestled on six lush, landscaped acres just two blocks from the historic Plaza and museums. Visit www.rockresorts.com for more details about La Posada de Santa Fe, or call 866-331-ROCK.

The RockResorts collection features casually elegant resorts in seven U.S. states. The RockResorts portfolio includes: The Lodge at Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs, Calif.; The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colo.; Keystone Lodge in Keystone, Colo.; The Lodge at Vail in Vail, Colo.; La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa in Santa Fe, N.M.; Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Fla.; The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Edwards, CO; The Equinox Resort & Spa in Manchester Village, Vt.; Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island, Wash.; and Snake River Lodge & Spa in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The Arrabelle at Vail Square, a RockResort in Vail Colorado, is also currently under development. RockResorts, based in Denver, CO, is a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc., a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:MTN). Visit the new online pressroom, including downloadable image archive, at http://media.rockresorts.com