Should I be a cheese maker?

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?

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.

• 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

• 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.

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).

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

If what you read made you feel excited, then a career in cheese making may be your thing!

What do you do next?