This week I’m gearing up for a special moment – I’m
hosting an interactive cheese tasting as part of TEDxSJU, an event that takes
place this Thursday on the campus of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
You’re probably familiar with TED – it’s a series
of livestreamed talks by speakers and thinkers from all over the world.
I’ve watched many TED talks (I'm riveted by Paul Stamets' mushroom talk), but I’ve never seen anyone host a TED tasting.
That’s why I’m presenting CHEDD-X, a talk about cheese and social media, accompanied by a tasting of traditional British
cheddar for 150+ students.
Why? Well, here in Philadelphia, most students
think of cheddar cheese as the Whiz that goes on cheesesteaks. I want them to
experience what cheddar tasted like in its earliest incarnation – the cheddar
of their ancestors.
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| Photo courtesy of Mary Quicke |
Mary Quicke produces a traditional English cheddar
that I happen to love, and she is a social media phenom. She writes a fantastic
blog, Mary’s Diary, where she provides monthly updates about her farm in Devon -- from the changing crops in her fields to new calves in the barn.
She’s also on Twitter (@Maryquicke), and her tweets are as
charming as Mary is in person. Here is a recent crumb:
Just had a beautiful puffball left outside my door by Graham – yum. Lovely braised in butter, + a hint of our smoked cheddar + parsley.
Mary is an example of someone who defies social
media stereotypes. She’s not a twentysomething (sorry, Mary) and she doesn’t
work for a marketing company as a “strategist.” She works for herself, and through social
media she offers us a glimpse into her extraordinary passion for cheesemaking.
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| Mary Quicke |
TED talks are about ideas worth spreading, and while I hate
to overwork the obvious pun, I have to tell you that I think Mary’s approach to social media is
worth spreading. She’s not simply promoting cheese or her dairy; she shares her
story.
In fact, Mary doesn’t ostensibly “promote” at all.
She doesn’t offer coupons or gimmicks. She doesn’t push her product. She uses
words and images to bring us into her world so that we can’t help but yearn for a nibble
of cheese, a whiff of cavey rind.
Mary speaks to our senses. When
she shares details, people want to listen, look, taste, inhale. That, to me, is what sets Mary apart. She’s the Basho of the
Twitterverse, the Brontë of the blogosphere.
Who wouldn't want to follow her?
TEDxSJU takes place on Thursday, Oct. 13 from 4-7 p.m. in the Creative Commons at Saint Joseph's University. The public is welcome to attend.
