There are two types of people in the world: those who love cheese, and the rest of ya. My fellow cheese heads — this one’s for you. Fête des Fromages (aka cheese party) returns for its second year, with events starting November 13 through 15, leading up to the festival Saturday the 16th. Learn, party, and most importantly: eat copious amounts of cheese.

Although you’re too late to enroll in Wednesday night’s festivities with cheese expert and author Liz Thorpe (the gormandizers have bought up all the tickets), there are still plenty more cheesy experiences to be had. Friday is for my fellow freaks, with a Fromage à Trois party. Cheese, chefs, and cocktails. Where do I sign up? The party will feature 15 local chefs including Cara Peterson of Saba, Akhtar Nawab of Otra Vez, and Richard Sutton of The St. James Cheese Company, all of whom will compete against one another. Their task is to make the “perfect bite” with a singular cheese, and you get to be the judge. Enjoy complimentary cocktail samples in between bites, and burn a few calories to the talents of DJ El Camino. 

Saturday is the main event. The New Orleans Jazz Museum will be the site for over 150 cheeses from around the globe. Sample to your hearts’ desire. The only thing better than a little cheese is a little vino to go with it, so plenty of adult beverages will be available for purchase. DJ Nice Rack, David Symons, Sunpie and The Louisiana Sunspots, Meschiya Lake with The Little Big Quartet, and Harmonouche will keep you dancing from one tent of cheese to the next. Don’t miss one of my favorite humans, Dan Stein (owner of Stein’s Deli), take on Mason Hereford (owner of Molly’s Rise and Shine and Turkey and the Wolf) as they wrestle giant wheels of cheese to see who cracks theirs first. Who will reign supreme? This is already my favorite festival I haven’t been to yet.

For full details and to purchase tickets check out the official website for Fête des Fromages.