cheese without borders
Baetje Farms in Bloomsdale, Missouri, has announced plans for an ongoing internship program with ENILV agriculture university in La Roche sur Foron, a well-known cheese-producing region in France. As local foodies know, Baetje produces world-renowned goat cheeses sold locally at farmers markets, Whole Foods and fine cheese shops.

mexican on manchester
Rosalita’s Cantina has opened its second location, this one in Des Peres at 12796 Manchester Road. A project by McGowan Brothers Development, Rosalita’s first launched downtown on Washington Avenue in 2010. Seamus McGowan says it has been so popular, the company is planning several others around town. Congratulations, and good luck!

local wine kudos
Augusta Wine Co., composed of Augusta and Montelle wineries, earned several distinctions at the recent California Pacific Rim Wine Competition. A blind tasting of approximately 2,000 wines by 30 wine experts yielded Best of Class and Gold for Montelle’s 2016 Dry Vignoles. Gold was awarded to Augusta Winery’s 2014 Norton and Montelle’s 2014 Norton; silver to Augusta’s 2014 Chambourcin and Montelle’s 2016 Seyval Blanc.

focus on filipino
Guerrilla Street Food’s Brian Hardesty and Joel Crespo have organized monthly dinners through Guerrilla Alliance to spotlight the talents of local Filipino chefs. Meant to expose St. Louisans to a wide range of Filipino foods and customs, the dinners are announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page. May 28 features Marie-Anne Velasco of Nudo.

more beer’s a-brewin’
Downtown’s Alpha Brewing Co. is planning a second location, this one in the Tower Grove area, sometime this fall. There will be an indoor taproom, an outdoor biergarten, and food service provided by a local restaurant partner, not yet determined. Cider, too! Brick River Cider Co. is set to open sometime in autumn downtown, at 2000 Washington Ave. Owner Russ John, whose family history includes apple orchards and cider, plans to source his apple juice locally. He anticipates a tasting room and bar downstairs and a full dining room upstairs.