What did the cheesemaker say to the mirror? Halloumi!
How did we come to make and sell cheese?
There are a lot of recipes for cheesemaking on the internet and in some fantastic books (see below for reference). However, I am very much in the ‘need to be shown’ category of people. Coming from a teaching background, I had no idea how to make cheese a few years ago. I am very much a one pot wonder type who also loves making pies. Cheesemaking felt a lot more like chemistry than cooking.
I am very privileged to have turned something I am very interested in, into a career. Cheesemakers have welcomed me onto their farms and into their homes. Oli and I have now made cheese with some of the best cheesemakers in the UK. A few years ago, we did a grand tour of the UK where we visited most of our future producers. This opened my mind up to the amazing range of cheesemaking styles and the range of backgrounds that cheesemakers come from. The first cheesemaker Oli visited over 7 years ago was Westcombe Cheddar.
We continue to visit cheesemakers regularly and take the team to make cheese too. This is partially because we learn a lot about what we are selling and can make sure we taste through cheese and specially select it for you, but more importantly, cheesemakers are the best! This is a wonderful industry, full of passionate people.
Cheesemaking in Bristol
We are happy to bring a small slice of what we have learned on our travels to the people of Bristol and beyond. Our cheesemaking lessons are one of my favourite things that we do. Oli brings his curd nerd technical knowledge from his cheesemaking days at Bath Soft. I bring my experience of dabbling with home cheese making over the years (I loved my goat milk tower). Together, Oli and I have quite a lot of fun as a team. Also as there are only 8 people in a class we really get to know everyone. We have had people from all kinds of backgrounds and it is great to meet so many different people.
Coexist Community Kitchen Cheesemaking Lessons
Coexist community kitchen is such a great venue and we have some dates planned for the coming year below. You can read all about the amazing work they do here.
Saturday 10th February 2024
Pony Chew Valley Cheesemaking Lessons
We are also very proud to announce some upcoming dates at the Pony Chew Valley. You also get a slap up meal at the Pony and Trap included as well as all your cheese to take away.
Sunday 12th May 2024
Sunday 9th June 2024
Suggested reading
Mastering Basic Cheesemaking by Gianacalis Caldwell
Home-made Cheese by Paul Thomas
Cheesemaking and Dairying by Katie Thear
A book to consider for the future should you really enjoy technical detail
American Farmstead Cheese by Paul Kinsteadt
Recommended Suppliers
Goat Nutrition www.gnltd.co.uk
The Cheesemaking Shop cheesemakingshop.co.uk
