Kiwi cheese in emergency dash to Scrubs TV show
02 Sep 2008
The cast of the American television comedy Scrubs has been saved from a gastronomic emergency thanks to a hand-delivered consignment of its favourite New Zealand cheese.
Oamaru white made by the South Island company Whitestone had become the star of Scrubs’ weekly cheese and wine wrap parties. But disaster struck when Whitestone’s Windsor Blue was no longer available in California.
So Scrubs’ production co-ordinator Hillary Hirsch decided to email the New Zealand company to highlight the dilemma.
Hand delivery
As it happened, Whitestone Cheese founder Bob Berry was about to head to the United States to line up new distributors so he personally hand delivered emergency supplies.
Two types of blue and a brie cheese travelled to LA in Berry's carry-on baggage, in an ice-packed poly-bin. Although the medical comedy cast and crew usually save cheese eating to Fridays, they couldn’t wait and had consumed the consignment on Monday, within a day of receiving it.
Windsor Blue favourite
Hillary Hirsch says the weekly wine and cheese parties have become legendary.
"We eat cheese from everywhere. France, Italy, Spain . . . but the Windsor Blue is pretty much the favourite. We used to buy it all the time."
Hirsch said Sarah Chalke, the Canadian actress who plays Dr Elliot Reid, was a big fan, although script requirements dictated diet.
"It depends if they have to be in a bikini next week . . . the cheese intake can change."
Award winner
Oamaru-based Whitestone has been exporting cheese to the United States since 1998. Its Windsor Blue is New Zealand's most awarded cheese, with 10 trophies and 11 gold medals.
Although Bob Berry is currently in the northern hemisphere securing new distributors, a second personalised cheese run to the Scrubs team has already been planned.
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