Hello-

I have been giving some thought to exploring the possibility of school/program/ learning/internship/apprenticeship type experience where i can really focus on cheese making and possibly charcuterie craft in a larger scale then my home set up. 

Does anyone have any ideas as to places, schools, programs that have a specific focus on these crafts… I’m not super interested in what i’ve seen to be the standard “culinary school”  type fancy fine dining models, and i’m not having tons of luck online searching for this type of niche learning environment. 

I currently run and manage my own restaurant and have years of working in commercial food operations… i’ve found myself more inspired by my cheese at home than anything else & would like the opportunity to grow my skills and knowledge abt old style foods and practices…with the hope of a new work project down the road…

Any leads would be much appreciated.

we will train you here for free

where is here?

this forum

i have been learning tons in this forum…seriously.  I think i’m just ready to be at a facility that is specific to making cheese…its fun at home, but the way my life is, I dont have time or space to do it often enough to feel like i’m “getting” it…I’m kindov interested in being a part of a whole operation of sorts…My dream is to one day open a deli where i make my own cheeses and cured meats, and i have a long way to go to be ready for that scale… soooo.. i’m just looking to learn from the folks out there who are doing this in a hands on sort of way.

best thing to do is find a local artisan cheese maker and get a job with them. Depending were u are u might want to check the Universities, here In Canada Guelph university has a cheese department.

New England Cheesemaking Supply does in-house classes.  Go to their web site and click on the workshops button.

We heard a report though that new England does not do a good job.

Neil - 21 May 2009 10:51 PM

We heard a report though that new England does not do a good job.

yeah , and i have heard such a bad feedback

where do u live Piperkapin?

I live in santa fe, nm.  Not a whole bustling cheese making community here, although my friends and family are enjoying my cheeses!  I am willing to travel.

The U of Wisconsin in Madison has a five-day Cheesemaking Short Course which I’m planning to attend October 5-9,2009There are 8 hours a day of classes in cheesemaking chemistry and theory and practical cheesemaking (soft, hard, and mold cheese) and a hands-on day in a dairy factory on Friday.  Google “Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research” for more information.  If that doesn’t work please let me know.

That sounds good Slim

Maybe check out WWOOF: 

http://www.wwoof.org/

Google search wwoof and cheese maker and you might find some places that you can volunteer/study at.