Portland's Cheese and Meat Festival lands at a new home Saturday, Nov. 14, after its longtime venue shut down.
The artisan tasting event moves to Montgomery Park at 2701 NW Vaughn St. after the Leftbank Annex, its previous host, permanently closed. The festival's official website lists 59 vendors for the 2026 lineup, offering cheeses, charcuterie, condiments, spirits, coffee, tea and nonalcoholic drinks.
Meg Cotner, writing for the Portland food blog Bridgetown Bites, reported that Elephants Catering had managed the Leftbank Annex under an agreement that ended around late 2024. Google lists the venue as permanently closed, Cotner wrote.
Cotner reported Nov. 9 that the noon and 3 p.m. tasting sessions were sold out, with only the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. slot still available.
The Portland Mercury, also writing Nov. 9, listed the festival as "SOLD OUT" without distinguishing between sessions. Prospective attendees should check the Eventbrite listing for the latest availability.
Bridgetown Bites listed two prices in different sections of its article: $75 base ($80.03 with fees) and $70 plus fees.
Check the Eventbrite listing for the current price.
The event is 21-and-over. Organizers ask attendees to bring two forms of ID, skip the perfume and cologne, and dress business casual. A coat check will be available for $4 cash.
Free parking is available at Montgomery Park, according to the Eventbrite listing. Organizers recommend bringing cash for vendor purchases, though credit cards will also be accepted.
Among the 59 vendors: Olympia Provisions will slice its Italian Sopressata, French Saucisson Sec and seasonal Saucisson de Noël. Beecher's Handmade Cheese brings eight varieties, including Serious Cheddar, Pimento Cheese, Marco Polo and Garlic Noir.
Chio plans a pistachio cream fountain for dipping. New Deal Distillery will pour six spirits, including its Oregon Brambleberry Bourbon and a Hopworks collaboration single malt whiskey. Don Froylan Creamery will offer fresh, artisanal Mexican cheeses made in Oregon.
On the nonalcoholic side, Portland-made Sens Botanicals will pour four botanical spritzes, and Lichen + Leaf will serve organic herbal teas. Caffe Umbria plans espresso drinks and a sparkling coffee soda. The full vendor guide is on the festival's official website.
More this week in Portland:
- Analog Fest celebrates physical media during the Nov. 9–15 week. The Portland Mercury's events roundup has details and additional listings for the week ahead.
