Expand Your Cheese Knowledge and Expertise
Cheese Journeys and Academy of Cheese collaborate to bring travelers an online course that promises to educate, inspire, and enrich.
Photograph by Winter Caplanson
An Exclusive Course For Cheese Journeys Travelers
We’re excited to announce that Cheese Journeys travelers now have the opportunity to enroll and take part in an online Academy of Cheese course, free of charge, as part of their tour purchase.
This course is perfect for enthusiasts who, after traveling with us, want to expand their knowledge and expertise in the world of cheese. Our very own Patrick McGuigan, Cheese Educator and Author, will conduct the Academy of Cheese course and take participants through everything from how cheese is made (milk production and maturation!), how to taste like a professional, and how to create a show-stopping cheeseboard that pairs with delicious vintage wines. The course will also spotlight 25 iconic cheeses from around the world.
This experience will help prepare participants to complete Academy of Cheese Level One Associate course and exam.
How it Works…
Once enrolled, Cheese Journeys guests will receive Zoom webinar invitations (two separate 2.5 hour sessions) that will be hosted by Patrick and have been designed exclusively for Cheese Journeys guests taking the course. The two part sessions will be offered twice a year and host a small group in a virtual classroom so that participants can ask questions freely, and interact with one another as Patrick guides and educates through each course module. Plus! Anna Juhl, CEO and Founder of Cheese Journeys, will also welcome groups at the beginning of each class session.
Classes are fun, interactive and rewarding with plenty of time to chat with fellow Cheese Journey guests, share cheese travel stories and plan for upcoming Cheese Journey tours. We’ll taste six cheeses in each class with a list sent to delegates beforehand to source themselves in time for the course. Guests will be emailed a delegates' pack containing a guide to the 25 cheeses to be covered, tasting sheets and an overview of the course structure. Those taking part will also have access to an online textbook called The Learning Road and a library of cheeses.
How to Register for this Academy of Cheese Course…
At the time of booking a future Cheese Journeys tour, all guests will receive information and dates for the complimentary Academy of Cheese Level One Associate course.
To enroll in this course, and if you have any additional questions. please contact Beth Anne Randall directly at bethanne@cheesejourneys.com
How the Certification Works…
The two-session course hosted by Cheese Journeys and Patrick will work to prepare participants for the Level One Associate assessment which they can take in their own time. It’s a multiple- choice online assessment made up of 30 questions to be answered in 30 minutes – so participants will need to do some home learning after the online classes before taking the assessment. The best part? Those who pass (and the current pass rate is 91%!) are awarded an associate pin badge and certificate.
Dates for session one: November 1 and November 8, 2026
To register, contact Beth Anne Randall at bethanne@cheesejourneys.com.
About the Academy of Cheese
Set up in 2017, the Academy of Cheese is an international cheese accreditation for anyone who loves cheese. There are four levels culminating in The Master of Cheese qualification. The Level One Associate course covers nine key topics.
1: Milk Production and Cheesemaking
2: Maturing, Affinage and Grading
3: Buying and Distribution
4: Presenting and serving
5: Communicating about cheese
6: Cheese Industry Knowledge
7: Regulation and Good Practice
8: Tasting
9: 25 Iconic Cheeses
Meet Patrick
Patrick McGuigan is one of Britain’s leading cheese writers and educators. He writes about cheese for newspapers, magazine, and regularly contributes to radio and TV shows on all things cheese. His first book, The Philosophy of Cheese, published by The British Library, came out in 2020, followed by The Cheese Life, co-authored with Mathew Carver (Kyle Books) in 2023. One Cheese to Rule Them All, co-written with Carlos Yescas, was published by Murdoch Books in 2025. He has taught the Academy of Cheese course since 2017 and has worked as a Cheese Journeys educator and co-host since 2022.
Level One & Two Associate Certification
This is for participants of our Curd to Counter mentorship programs.
We’re thrilled to announce that all cheese professionals taking part in Curd to Counter will receive sponsorship for the Academy of Cheese Associate Certification Self Study. Cheese professionals will need to complete this first course, Level One, and pass the final assessment prior to the mentorship experience. Once successfully passing Level One, participants will be awarded their certificate and pin - plus be encouraged, and sponsored by the Academy of Cheese for the Level Two Self Study Certification.