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Slashfood hit the biannual Salon de Fromage in Paris, a French trade show that's attended by le tout Paris' French cheese world. Though much of it is all business, the Salon featured a few events that piqued our interest:

The distinct woodsy taste, unctuous milky paste, and pungent aroma of Vacherin Mont D'Or are sure to make any holiday meal unforgettable. Hailing from the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, the cheese's mere appearance -- a wrinkly light-orange washed-rind with white molds -- is also a scene-stealer. Alluring rind and luscious flavor aside, this cheese is only available in November and December, making it the perfect pick for celebrating the holidays.

The cheese makes lasting impressions. "I remember the woodsy flavor and the taste of mushrooms the first time I tried the cheese," recalls Jason Bond, chef at Boston's Beacon Hill Bistro. Bond, who was introduced to the cheese 10 years ago when a chef friend brought it back in his suitcase from France, explained, "We purchase a large format Vacherin Mont D'Or for our New Year's Eve menu, and whatever we have left over, we'll put onto the regular menu."