Rogue River Blue on menu for WH State Dinner

Nov. 30—Rogue River Blue, the Rogue Creamery signature cheese that has gained worldwide prominence, is set to make a very stately appearance Thursday during the cheese course for the Biden White House's first State Dinner.

First lady Jill Biden made that announcement Wednesday in the State Dining Room, which will host French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.

"I'm especially excited that we are featuring American cheeses for our cheese course, including Rogue River Blue, the champion of the 2019 World Cheese Awards," Biden said, according to a transcript of her remarks.

She did not elaborate on how Rogue River Blue was chosen.

Rogue River Blue, which captured gourmets' attention in 2019 when the small-batch cheese was named World Champion at the World Cheese Awards, took home two more gold medals at the 2021 International Cheese & Dairy Awards in Stafford, England. There, it took the top prize in "Best Organic Cheese (Non-U.K.)" and "Best USA Blue Cheese."

Rogue Creamery, located at 311 North Front St., Central Point, began as Rogue River Valley Cooperative in 1933.

More information on the White House's selection of the cheese will be provided as it becomes available.

Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.