Since the government started recording it in 1975, the amount of cheese consumed annually per person in America has more than doubled to almost 42 pounds. This is more than all of the butter, ice cream, and yogurt combined.
Clearly, people love their cheese!
What makes a great cheese maker and what do they do?
Did you know?
You can find over 2000 types of cheese around the world! Mozzarella and cheddar sell the most.
What Does a Cheese Maker do?
Of course, cheese makers produce cheese. But what does that include?
Place orders for milk
Oversee the cheese-making process
Conduct quality tests
Wrap and package cheeses
Examine the aging process of cheese
Cheese makers generally have three levels of seniority:
Assistant/Apprentice: You're just beginning to understand the technical elements of cheese.
Head Cheese Maker: You oversee the making of cheese, solve problems, and hire and train new employees.
Owner: As the owner of a company, you're a high-level expert on cheese and what quality means.
Did you know?
Cheese makers rely on their taste buds to decide if a cheese is ready to be sold in stores. To get the ideal milk flavor, some cheese makers even milk their own animals!
Why Become a Cheese Maker?
Cheese making is an art.Your senses are important when you make cheese.
It's also a science. There are several steps and procedures to follow.
There is always going to be a demand for cheese.
More and more restaurants are placing orders for artisanal cheeses.
You can establish yourself independently and make your mark in the industry.
As a cheese maker, you can work in several settings:
A large-scale manufacturing company
Small artisanal shops
Start on your own as a freelancer
Did you know?
Cheese makers wear white coats, rubber boots, and hair nets to help them keep their cheeses safe and of high quality.
How do I Become a Cheese Maker?
Work in the food industry and learn on the job.
Enroll in a certificate or diploma program in cheese making, food science, or food processing technologies to become proficient more quickly.
Some employers might also request a food safety certification.
Join a professional organization like the American Cheese Society (ACS) to stay informed of new developments.
View and follow the accounts of different cheesemakers on social media.
Attend cheese maker events to develop contacts and expand your network.
Did you know?
A survey conducted by the American Cheese Society found that the majority of cheese professionals either learned technical skills on the job or taught themselves these skills.
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What Can I Expect to Earn?
The average salary of a cheese maker in Canada is $42,000 or about $22 per hour (CAD).
The average salary of a cheese maker in USA is $34,445 or about $17 per hour (USD).
Love It or Hate It?
You'll enjoy cheese making if you...
Are passionate about food
Have a strong sense of smell and taste
Like hands-on work
Have lots of physical stamina
Cheese making is not your thing if you...
Don't like wet and messy work
Can't work long hours doing physical work
Are unable to work in cold, refrigerated settings
Choose the next cheese maker!
Tania
Has a keen sense of taste and smell
Prefers to work in an office at a computer
Needs to use a room heater even in the summer
Alice
Is passionate about food
Likes working half day shifts in an office
Unable to do physical and manual work
Rodrigo
Enjoys messy, hands-on work
Is physically strong
Is passionate about food
Quiz
Who sounds like the best fit to be a cheese maker?
Did you know?
The Certified Cheese Professional (CCP), a distinguished certificate offered by the American Cheese Society, is given to cheesmakers who have proven their proficiency and understanding of cheese. It acknowledges their devotion to "the art and science of cheesemaking."
Take Action
If what you read made you feel excited, then a career in cheese making may be your thing!
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