The ancient festival of cheese rolling

The ancient festival of cheese rolling

               

Each year thousands of spectators gather to watch the ancient sport of cheese rolling at Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire in the U K. No one knows the exact origins of the ritual but this spectacle reputedly dates back at least 200 years and possibly has its roots in Roman times.

A whole Double Gloucester cheese is hurled down the one-in-two gradient hill and competitors take part by chasing down after it, in an attempt to catch it. The first person down the hill wins the cheese! There are usually four men's races and also a women's and young competitors' race ably stage-managed by the master of ceremonies. Competition is fierce, but friendly, and some entrants are veterans having been involved with the race for many years. Injuries such as twisted ankles are commonplace but fortunately serious injuries are rare.

Spectators, entrants and the media travel from around the globe to marvel at this strange custom. The festival celebrates the return of spring.

However, cheese rolling is not limited to the Double Gloucester. For example, in the English village of Stilton, cheese rolling is an important part of their May Day celebrations

COCKTAIL STORIES

A drink called "cock's ale" was served in early colonial times during cock fights. It was a mixture of ale into which a sack of a par-boiled chicken, raisins, mace and brown sugar was placed. This was left to ferment for about nine days….to get the term........Who knows the original clams to originate them though some stories go as further.

The Manhattan   

This is a true classic. It gets its name from the Manhattan Club in NY. A special drink was needed for entertaining politician Samuel J. Tilden at a party given by Lady Randolf Churchill. God bless that bartender on duty!

The Rob Roy   

This variation of The Manhattan is named in honor of the 17th century, legendary Scottish thief and hero, Rob MacGregor. Roy is the Scottish colloquial term for a man with red hair, the color of this drink.

 Mai Tai    

Trader Vic invented the Mai Tai in 1944 at his Hinky Dinks restaurant. A Tahitian patron, Mrs. Wright proclaimed, "Mai Tai, Roa Ae" or "Out of this world, the best!"

Planters Punch

A drink created in Jamaica to celebrate the opening of Myers's Rum distillery in 1879. The fame of Fred L. Myers's cocktail mixture spread quickly through the Island, and on to the rest of the world.

Martini

There are many myths surrounding the creation of the Martini.

The legendary bartender "Professor" Jerry Thomas,had arrived in San Fransisco during the Gold Rush and worked at the El Dorado as a bartender. Later, he moved to the Occidental Hotel and this is where the Martini myth was created. A man on his way to the town Martinez walked in, placed a gold nugget on the bar, and asked Thomas to make him a drink to remember. In his book, The Martini, Barnaby Conrad III quotes: "Very well, here is a drink I invented for your trip," said Thomas."We'll call it the Martinez".