Woodchuck Cider Says Employee Stole Trade Secrets and Now Uses Them For McKenzie's Cider

The Rutland Herald is apparently reporting that the folks at Woodchuck Cider have sued their former employee, Leonard Ciolek, who worked at Vermont Hard Cider Company in Middlebury for seven months. During that time, company officials say Ciolek stole recipes and then left to launch his own cider company called McKenzie's Cider. The Woodchuck company wants the court to order an examination of Ciolek's computer files to prove what they are claiming.

Cider in Vermont is big business so Mr. Ciolek, who is allegedly a New Yorker, better make sure he can demonstrate how he independently developed McKenzie's Cider. Like they say, home cooking doesn't always taste so good if you get it served by a Vermont judge or jury.

Woodchuck publishes food recipes that utilize their cider so we thought we'd publish one here:

Apple Cheese Soup

1 cup grated apple
¼ cup chopped onion
4 tbsp. butter
¼ cup flour
2 ½ cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ bottle Woodchuck Hard Cider

In saucepan, cook apples and onions in butter until tender. Add flour and blend until smooth. Stir in milk and Woodchuck Hard Cider. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture thickens. Add cheese and seasonings. Stir as they melt. Garnish with a dash of nutmeg.