The holiday invite is out, and your host has asked you to bring a dish to pass. Don’t panic—this is your chance to wow the crowd with something irresistible, a recipe you can be proud to share. Farmer-owned Chalet Cheese Cooperative inspires these seasonal recipes, where its farm-fresh milk becomes flavorful, award-winning cheeses that stand out on cheese boards and bring comfort
and warmth to every holiday dish. So, get ready to cue the compliments and be first on next year’s guest list!
A Co-op That Cares
Spread cheer and good taste with a collection of specialty cheeses rooted in over 140 years of tradition.
Founded in 1885, Chalet Cheese Cooperative is a Green County gem and one of the nation’s oldest dairy cooperatives. Devoted family farms deliver local, fresh milk to the factory daily, carrying on a tradition of quality and care. This milk is the foundation of every wheel and block of cheese. There’s something truly special about it: Chalet Cheese credits the terroir of the Driftless region for imparting unique, complex flavors and nuances that make its cheeses so beloved.
“When it comes to cheesemaking, being part of a co-op is a real advantage,” says Mike Hlubek, general manager at Chalet Cheese. "The farmers are not only supplying the milk—they’re also owners of the operation. They want to see great cheese made with their milk, so they take care with every detail, from the milk quality and good ingredients to cheesemaker passion and the tools it takes to do the job well."
The Secret to Success
What sets Chalet’s cheeses apart is the deep, hands-on connection—from farm to finish—that the people behind them share. As co-op owners, each family farm works alongside Chalet’s cheesemakers. These partnerships are key to ensuring excellence in craftsmanship.
“There is a lot that goes into making our cheese,” Mike explains. “It starts with the hard work and care our family farms put into producing exceptional milk. Because our dairy farmers and cheesemakers are in direct communication, we can anticipate things like seasonal changes in the milk and make adjustments to keep our cheeses consistent and delicious.”
That dedication, paired with time-honored methods and a rich Swiss cheesemaking heritage, has shaped Chalet’s cheeses into distinctive, delectable specialties. The cooperative’s legacy has stood the test of time, and its cheeses continue to bring people together, whether around a holiday table or in everyday moments.
A Trio of Can’t-Miss Masterpieces
Chalet’s artisanal cheeses shine in these potluck dishes, made for sharing with your nearest and
dearest this holiday season. Each recipe highlights a cheese that ignites joy and creates memories—filling hearts and plates alike.
Chalet Alpenaro is an innovative, alpine-style jewel that nods to the company’s Swiss heritage in the Alps and the Italian word for cream: panna. Developed in 2020, this creamy cheese fuses gouda’s sweetness with parmesan’s
nuttiness, creating a rich, satisfying flavor that intensifies with age. “The cheese is a must-have for holiday parties and family get-togethers. We’ve found it’s wonderful melted as a pizza topper, stirred into macaroni and cheese, or added to a charcuterie
and cheese board,” Mike says. “Or simply share it sliced as a snack with crackers. It won’t crumble like a traditional parmesan.”
Be the hit of the potluck with our Cheese and Crab-Stuffed Beef Wellington recipe, featuring Chalet’s Alpenaro blended into an
herb-flecked compound butter and nestled inside the Wellington. The cheese’s rich, nutty parmesan flavor pairs with the savory beef,
while its sweet gouda notes complement the crab filling. Each slice reveals pockets of melty cheese tucked around the tenderloin, a decadent surprise that leaves guests asking for more.
Short on time? Tap into these tips. Make the compound butter up to two days ahead. The day before, brown the tenderloin, prep the crab filling and assemble the Wellington. Cover and refrigerate until ready to brush with egg wash and bake. While it bakes, simmer the red wine reduction sauce for an elegant finish.
Make It: Cheese and Crab-Stuffed Beef Wellington recipe
Chalet Brick is a young, mild, creamy washedrind cheese ideal for melting into classic holiday fondues and side dishes. A Wisconsin Original, the cheese gets its name from the bricks traditionally used during cheesemaking to press out the whey. “At Chalet Cheese, we’re known for making several signature washed-rind cheeses like brick, bier käse and more—and we’re proud to be home to the only limburger produced in the U.S.,” Mike shares. “They’re washed with a brine that, as they age, develops their aromas and flavors while softening the cheeses. We also make an award-winning aged German-style brick with a more robust flavor and aroma than our milder Wisconsin brick.”
Savor Chalet’s Brick (or German-style brick) in a luscious cheese sauce poured over thinly sliced
earthy veggies in our Rainbow Root Vegetable au Gratin recipe. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, easy
to transport and simple to finish at a host’s home. Just sprinkle on more brick cheese and bake until
the vegetables are tender and the top is bubbly, golden-brown perfection.
Make It: Rainbow Root Vegetable au Gratin recipe
Chalet Swiss is a celebrated aged alpine-style cheese with iconic holes and a smooth, creamy
texture. Rich, buttery and slightly sweet, it has a nutty, subtly toasted hazelnut flavor.
“Our swiss has been perfected over the years. Chalet Swiss has won numerous awards, including
Best of Class at the 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest, Second Place at the 2024 American
Cheese Society Cheese Competition and a Blue Ribbon at the 2022 Wisconsin State Fair,” Mike says.
“I enjoy its mild yet enhanced flavor profile; it’s one of my favorite cheeses.”
A go-to for every holiday spread, Chalet’s Swiss plays the starring role in our Massaged Kale and Swiss Salad recipe. The cheese’s slightly sweet and nutty notes balance the pleasant bitterness of the kale and pair flawlessly with juicy red grapes and candied walnuts. Its buttery flavor ties everything together, matching the richness of the brown butter vinaigrette, which brings incredible complexity to this salad worthy of any dinner party.
Make It: Massaged Kale and Swiss Salad recipe
