When two hefty, ribbon-adorned boxes of Flute & Fromage’s cheeses were dropped off at Pique Newsmagazine’s office, the editorial, production, and sales departments eschewed their daily deadlines for a moment and united in appreciation for the tantalizingly tasty treats (everyone except our editor, Braden Dupuis, who said he is too “Prairie boy” for fancy cheese*).
As the newest cheesemonger in town, Flute & Fromage caters to cheese fanatics, pairing milk-made morsels with natural wines, beer and ciders. Its storefront at 102 - 4305 on the Village Stroll invites guests to browse products with knowledgeable cheeseheads (the food, not state-based reference) on-hand who can inform and pair products to shoppers’ palates.
Whether one stays on the intimate, nine-seat patio to lounge and savour a bite or gathers a plate to go out and enjoy a picnic, options abound. Customers can even request complimentary delivery in Whistler or pay a $30 flat fee for trips farther afield in the Sea to Sky.
The independently owned boutique cheesemonger brings local and international cheeses to Whistlerites' palates thanks to owner Tara May.
As an on-and-off-again Whistler local for 30 years, May has merged winter days in Symphony Bowl with her international dining experiences to curate the shop’s offerings of local and global fare. She comes to the business with an education in food systems from York University.
“I’m thrilled to welcome guests into my labour of love. After so many years of ideating and planning, it’s an incredible feeling to open the doors to Flute & Fromage,” May said in a release. “It’s my privilege to open the shop in Whistler, a place that I have called home for 30 years. It’s a haven for cheese and wine lovers, but it’s also a gathering place for anyone seeking connection, conversation and enjoyment.”
This reporter’s lactose intolerance is so severe she usually avoids the delight (pain), but for some reason (in the name of journalism), I said yes to trying the new cheese on the block.
Delicately arranged and carefully wrapped, Cheese to the People gift boxes make gift-giving easy, whether it’s for others or yourself.
Whether it’s the blue-veined Roquefort Carles, the nutty Garrotxa, a Shropshire blue or the prosciutto, the flavours were overwhelming and intriguing to a palate that used to be acclimated to an old cheddar cheese or what she thought was fancy—grocery store brie.
The field berry jam shone alongside the gooey triple cream Chateau de Bourgogne, and both layered well atop a baguette the Pique team added to our picnic.
While not knowingly a truffle lover, the Moliterno al Tartufo was this writer’s favourite, though I hadn’t realized fungi and fromage would pair before this tasting.
The shop is an addition to the cheese scene in Whistler, with one store offering a charcuterie experience and another fondue. However, the international flavours, combined with the wine offerings, help set the store apart.
Read more at fluteandfromage.com.
*Editor's note: It's true. Medium cheddar or bust.
