Behind the Board
(Since 2007)
The SweetCheeses! Biennale began in 2007 after attending my first American Cheese Society Conference & Competition in Burlington, Vermont.
The ACS is an annual event that is a celebration of the amazing cheese that is produced in North America. It includes 4 days of going deep into learning about cheese, cheesemaking and the dynamic business of the cheese industry.
It includes tours of farmstead producers, cheese shops, dairy plants, wineries and other related establishments. The closing event is a “Festival of Cheese” where you can try some of the 1,200-1,500 different cheeses that are submitted for evaluation in the competition. Some of the cheeses are set aside and sold during a “cheese auction” with the funds going towards scholarships for new & apprenticing cheesemakers.
I am an active member of ACS and frequently attend and volunteer ar this fantastic event since 2007 (Burlington, VT; Chicago; Austin; Seattle; Montreal; Madison; Pittsburgh). I have also had the distinct pleasure of brining home some remarkable cheese for what has become an epic party know as “SweetCheeses!”.
It happens every year (or two) in Guelph.
My hope is to share my experiences and passion for cheese with you. Endeavouring to get “the right cheese to the right person at the right time”. It is not about cheese snobbery but rather learning to discern what you like and thoughtfully exploring myriad cheeses that are made using the same four simple ingredients.
My credentials include:
Certified Cheesemaker
• University of Guelph – Technical Production of Cheese
• University of Vermont – VIAC- Artisan Cheese Maker Certificate
• School of Artisan Food, Wellbeck, Nottinghamshire, UK
• Production of a variety of styles of cheese for predominately small ruminant dairies in Ontario.
Cheese Monger
I have worked at both small & large farmers markets; a large specialty food retailer & boutique cut-to-order cheese shops.
Cheese Educator
Faculty, Professional Cheese Making, Conestoga College
https://www.conestogac.on.ca/fulltime/professional-cheese-making
Faculty, Professional Cheesemonger Program, George Brown College
https://coned.georgebrown.ca/courses-and-programs/professional-cheesemonger-program
Instructor, Artisan Cheese Marketing
https://artisancheesemarketing.com
I currently offer tailored tutored tastings & short courses. Also available to consult & implement cheese programs for small grocery chains, preserve companies, restaurants, wineries, distilleries & breweries.
Cheese Judge
• Canadian Cheese Awards
• Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
• World Cheese Awards
SweetCheeses! happily serves the Guelph, Ontario area.
Most offerings can only be made available locally, however Tutored Tastings can be virtually anywhere – just ask!