Where Cheesemakers and Mongers Come Together
CURD TO COUNTER is an initiative we launched in 2024 that unites our infamous cheese tours with mentorship programs in order to connect cheese retail professionals (masterful mongers!) with Europe’s finest cheesemakers, affineurs, and fellow enthusiasts.
I'm thrilled to announce that in 2026, we'll be running two mentorship programs to accommodate more applicants! The first will be hosted in Switzerland from August 26 - 28, ahead of our new backdoor tour of Switzerland with Gourmino cheesemakers. Those who take part in the 3 day mentorship will go on to experience the 8 day tour which will run August 29 - September 5.
The second mentorship program will take place in Britain from October 13 - 17, and this runs ahead of our signature British Cheese Odyssey tour from October 18 - 25. If you're passionate about British cheese, cuisine, and culture –– this back-to-back experience is for you.
Those who enrol for our 2026 programs will be mentored and fully immersed into the worlds of esteemed cheesemakers during a farm/ dairy stay, invited to expand their knowledge on every aspect of production from its history through to herd, cheesemaking and maturing processes, and agriculture sustainability. Plus, receive direct training from local cheesemongers in the art of selling and carrying these iconic cheeses.
If you own a cheese shop in the US and have a passionate management team, skilled mongers, and a strong customer base of enthusiasts – these mentorship programs are for you, your team, and your community of cheese lovers.
CURD TO COUNTER programs offer cheese professionals the opportunity to travel, broaden their expertise, and connect with world-renowned makers.
For more information on each 2026 mentorship, how they bolt on to respective Cheese Journeys tours, and how to apply –– simply email me at: anna@cheesejourneys.com
Get set for this NEW Cheese Journeys tour with Gourmino!
I'm also pleased to share that we'll be hosting a new tour of Switzerland with Roland Sahli, Co-Managing Director of Gourmino, and Tenaya Darlington in August 2026. Gourmino is owned and operated by award-winning Swiss cheesemakers and renowned for its incredible selection and affinage – it's a team of specialists who pride themselves on true craftsmanship and expert advice.
I've built and curated this Cheese Journeys tour to introduce travelers to world-class cheesemakers in Switzerland who, to this day, uphold alpine cheesemaking traditions using fresh raw milk supplied daily by local farmers. Guests will meet these remarkable artisans, visit creameries, explore cheese caves, and enjoy local wine and cheese tastings –– not to mention delight in Swiss chocolate and schnaps!
Get set for unique culinary travel experiences from mountain hiking to fire-side fondue and fine dining. You'll learn from Gourmino cheesemakers and affineurs, shop all the Swiss souvenirs your baggage can handle (traditional cow bells, chocolate, cheese!) and have the opportunity to get some incredible snapshots of alpine vistas. We wrap the week with the festivities of a Swiss cow parade that is an absolute highlight –– think more bells and the most incredible floral headdresses!
Listen to our NEW podcast: Adventures in Taste
In case you missed it, we went and launched a Cheese Journeys podcast! I'm co-hosting Adventures in Taste with cheese expert Sam Wilkin and each episode we introduce listeners to an inspiring individual from the artisan cheese, wine and food world. You can expect deep-dive conversations, laughter and industry insights from some of the most impressive experts and enthusiasts we've met on our culinary travels.
Listen to all episodes of Adventures in Taste and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts – if you like what you hear, please do give us a star rating and write a review as this makes such a difference! The more eyes and ears on our new podcast, the better.
Don't miss our latest episodes with Jamie Montgomery, the third-generation maker behind the world-famous Montgomery’s Cheddar, and Dutch cheese icon Betty Koster, who is the Founder of Fromagerie L'Amuse.
Belgium and the Netherlands, April 2026
If you’re an artisan food and drink enthusiast who lives for city and country escapes, take a read through the itinerary for this upcoming Cheese Journey. We'll introduce you to delicious Belgian beer, world-class chocolate, aged Gouda, and endless European specialties. Highlights include a visit to Keukenhof Gardens – known for its spectacular displays of tulips, orchids, and landscaping –– plus, a visit to Betty Koster's port-side cheese shop, L’Amuse Fromagerie. Here, we've lined up a private tasting session hosted by Betty herself (she's known as the Julia Child of Cheese! ) on how to pair artisan cheese and tea.
Read more about the tour and the experiences we've curated here and book your spot on this culinary trip of a lifetime.
Photography by Winter Caplanson
Here's to you, here's to 2026!
I'm signing off after what has been a wonderful year FULL of scouting, hosting, recording, visiting (and revisiting), discovery, taste and celebration. I want to take the opportunity to thank you for supporting Cheese Journeys and being part of our growing community of curious travelers and fellow cheese and wine enthusiasts!
The team and I are so excited about everything we have in store for 2026 (signature sell-out tours, new tours, our two CURD TO COUNTER mentorship programs in two countries, podcast episodes, collaborations) and taking you all along for the ride.
Here's to 2026, here's to many more inspiring, unforgettable travel experiences hosted by Cheese Journeys.
And before I go, if you're hosting this season –– I can highly recommend adding a wheel of Mont d'Or to your cheeseboard. This rich, creamy cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France/Switzerland dates back to the 13th century and was famously served on the tables of Louis XV and Jean-Jacques Rousseau! Its texture is pudding-soft and its taste is slightly cruciferous with woody overtones. Think winter woods and roasted cauliflower.
I can certainly vouch for Appenzeller too! This bold Swiss cow's milk cheese is a beloved fondue cheese because it's a great melter, but it's perfect on a cheeseboard this time of year with artisan bread, dried fruit and chutney –– and of course, a smooth red or sparkling wine of your choice. Curious to visit Appenzeller artisans with us? All the more reason to join our new back-door tour of Switzerland in partnership with Gourmino, purveyors of Switzerland's finest cheeses!
Anna Juhl
Cheese Journeys Founder
