Learn To Make Cheese » Cheesemaking Trips

Farm Schools Ideal For Cheesemaking Classes and Trips

sarita — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:43:48 +0000

Though we live on the opposite coast, we love the articles, designs and recipes in Sunset, a magazine dedicated to living in the West.

One of Sunset’s predictions for 2010 is the increasing popularity of farm schools. Rather than going to culinary school to learn things like cheesemaking, many farms and dairies are offering cheesemaking courses to beginners and advanced cheesemakers. Some farms even offer accomodations at the farm for the full experience. In addition to milking and making cheese, farm schools offer the chance to forage, learn butchering and enjoy beautiful scenery.

The piece mentions farm schools Quillisascut Farm School of the Domestic
Arts in Rice, Washington, MaryJanesFarm in Moscow, Idaho and Fairburn Farm Culinary Retreat and Guest House on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

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Learn Cheesemaking in Local Cheese making Classes: Where To Look?

sarita — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:36:11 +0000

One of the best ways to learn cheesemaking is by taking a class. So, we’re going to attempt to list as many cheesemaking course resources as we can in the coming weeks. Taking a class is so great for one because you usually don’t need to invest in any equipment and you can experiment before diving into this fun, but not cheap, activity of cheesemaking. We’ll also be creating a separate list for international cheesemaking course opportunities.

Here’s an initial overview of where to look for cheesemaking courses in your area:

Visit Local Harvest, a great resources for cheesemaking classes and many other fun ones like beekeeping, hydroponic gardening, farmers’ markets, cook-offs, pierogi making, sewing and breadmaking. These classes tend to be for beginners and there are kid-friendly options too.

Cheese stores are a great place to take cheesemaking classes in a relaxed environment. For example, the reknowned Murray’s cheese offers a nice cheese class schedule. Most classes have to do more with learning about and tasting cheese, but they do offer a mozzarella making class. Another wonderful option is the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company who offers cheesemaking workshops for both beginners and advanced students.

Cheese-related organizations such as the Artisanal Cheese Center based in New York City offer both cheese tasting and cheesemaking courses in one-time sessions. They have also partnered with the Viking Cooking School to offer classes throughout the country in places like Atlanta, Bryn Mawr, PA, and Memphis TN.

Many states have their own artisan cheese guild, a group of artisan cheesemakers who adhere to certain requirements in making artisan cheeses in order to be accepted as members. Artisan cheese guild websites usually include a member directory of dairies and farms, and cheese and cheesemaking-related events open to the public. Here’s a list of state artisan cheese guilds to get you started.

The adult education class programs of community colleges often offer one-evening or multi-session cheesemaking classes.

If you’re more than a hobbyist, universities with food studies programs, such as the University of Washington, offers cheesemaking classes. Also, the University of Vermont is home of the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese.

For serious cheesemakers, there are destination cheesemaking courses such as the 3-day workshops through Three Shepherds Cheese in Vermont.

Finally, ask around. Ask the sellers at your local farmer’s market if they are aware of any cheesemaking class opportunities. If your dairy and cheese vendor doesn’t currently offer cheesemaking classes, they might consider starting something up in their dairy barn if the interest is there. (and is it ever!) You can also join in cheese discussion forums to find out about local and national cheesemaking courses and events. Check out Rick and Lynne’s cheesemaking forum, Chowhound, hook up with Culture magazine on Facebook .

Remember, no matter where you live, always register early for cheesemaking classes because from what we’ve seen over and over, they sell out quickly.

More cheesemaking class resources to come!

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Celebrating Artisan Cheesemakers: Check Out Cheese by Hand Project

sarita — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:14:55 +0000

Cheese By Hand is a project by cheese enthusiasts Michael and Sasha who explore artisan cheeses and meet with cheesemakers throughout the United States. Now based in Portland, Oregon, they share their cheese experiences on their website, and Sasha is currently writing a book on west coast cheese. Be sure to check out their fabulous photos and audio interviews with cheesemakers, and pick up a super cute Cheese By Hand t-shirt while you’re at it!

Cheese by Hand.

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Murray’s Liz Thorpe and Cheesemaking on Martha Stewart

sarita — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:07:27 +0000

The Kitchn posted about a special Martha Stewart television show we missed dedicated to cheese. Segments include profiles of New England cheesemaking dairies, and a discussion with Liz Thorpe, VP of Murray’s Cheese in NYC, and all around cheese superstar. Of course, Martha also makes her own cheese during the program.

“Not to be missed was the field piece in the first segment of the show on the Vermont artisan cheesemaking movement, with video profiles of Jasper Hill Farm, Thistle Hill Farm, Willow Hill Farm, and Blue Ledge Farm. They’re some of our favorites. She also chats with Anne Saxelby of Saxelby Cheesemongers, who sells American cheeses– exclusively– from her shop in the Essex Street Market in the Lower East Side.”

Martha Stewart Takes on Cheese: The All-Cheese Show The Cheesemonger | Apartment Therapy The Kitchn.

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History of Wisconsin Cheesemaking At the National Historic Cheesemaking Center

sarita — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:04:58 +0000

If you find yourself in Wisconsin’s cheese country, be sure to visit the National Historic Cheesemaking Center, located a couple of hours north of Chicago. It has exhibits on the history of cheese with fascinating photos and imagery, as well as a focus on the Wisconsin dairy industry. It helps put cheesemaking in cultural and historical context. Funny how so many of the tools are exactly the same as a century ago!

“The cheesemaking museum offers visitors a unique look back at the history of cheese making in Wisconsin and the Green County area. It showcases artifacts and information about the area’s rich cheese industry, area farmers, and the history of cheesemaking in southern Wisconsin. The museum offers visitors a glimpse back at an 1800’s era model cheese factory and offers visitors a wide variety of facinating exhibits from “an era that once was….but will never be again.”

via The National Historic Cheesemaking Center — Home.

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