Like many events of late, the awards ceremony for this year’s Cheese-a-Topia is branded as the Oscars equivalent of its ilk—a tired trespass, but forgiven when cheese is at the heart of things.

The shindig takes place Saturday at Benaroya Hall and is the capstone of the American Cheese Society’s four-day conference getting underway August 25. While the convention is members only, Saturday’s hoopla is open to the public—and you’re lucky it is, because this is where things get fun.

After the ceremony, the Festival of Cheese takes over Benaroya, whereupon an impressive roster of nearly 20 restaurants, (Luc, Dinette, Spring Hill, etc ) plus local wineries and breweries line the downtown performance hall. Each will serve delicious snacks, while cheesemongers will proffer samples of more than 1,300 North American varieties. Holy cow.

Michael Pollan will be there, but if you want to chat cheese with him, you’re going to have to flash mega cash; the VIP tasting is $400 a ticket. Otherwise, admission is $85 and can be secured the night of at Benaroya. Doors open at 5pm.