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Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers
Started Learning 160 Years Ago
The world of
Wisconsin cheese is the result of 160 years of quality and craftsmanship – a
cheesemaking tradition that is the heart and soul of America's
Dairyland. Rooted in the traditions of European cheesemaking,
proudly
nurtured by every
generation since the pioneers, today Wisconsin is home to some
of the finest craftsmen in the world. Wisconsin began and continues
to
advance the country's
highest cheesemaking standards. Years ago, Wisconsin was the
first state to grade its cheese for quality. Then Wisconsin was
first to
insist that a
licensed cheesemaker oversee every pound of cheese made in the
state. Now Wisconsin has more licensed cheesemakers than any
other state. The
latest chapter
in this quest for excellence is the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker® program.
It's the most ambitious and rigorous advanced training program
in the country and the only Master program outside of Europe.
Read on
to learn more
about Wisconsin's Master Cheesemakers and the art of our state:
Wisconsin Cheese.
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The Nation's First and Only Advanced Training Certification
for Cheesemakers
Wisconsin's cheesemaking traditions were brought from Europe by the original
pioneers. Those traditions, having been passed down over generations, are still
very much alive today. Established in 1994, Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker
certification continues this European tradition.The program is administered
from the Center for Dairy
Research located at the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, and
is funded by the Wisconsin dairy farmers represented by the Wisconsin Milk
Marketing Board.
| The Requirements for Entry |
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Participants must be active, licensed Wisconsin
cheesemakers with at least 10 years experience working at a plant which
participates in the Quality Assurance Program.
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They must have been making the cheese variety for
which they seek certification for at least five years. |
| The Apprenticeship |
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To demonstrate that they are a master
in the art of making a particular cheese variety, the cheesemaker apprentice is
required to submit samples of cheese for evaluation which is conducted by a
designated committee to ensure cheese quality and consistency. The
apprenticeship assures that those receiving the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker
certification embody the skill and passion for cheesemaking that is Wisconsin's
greatest heritage.
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| The Delicious Result |
| Once a cheesemaker achieves Master
status for a cheese variety, they can designate on their labels that the cheese
has been made by a Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker. It's your assurance of the
highest quality cheese you can buy. |
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