CURD TO COUNTER
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS BY CHEESE JOURNEYS
Cheese tour and mentorship programs that connect cheese retail professionals and cheese educators with Europe’s finest cheesemakers and affineurs
ABOUT
Cheese Journeys is a luxury travel brand that curates unique, culinary experiences for artisan cheese, food and wine enthusiasts and professionals. We connect curious travelers to the world’s finest makers and educate on regional cultures and cuisines.
Our CURD TO COUNTER mentorship programs are designed to encourage exploration and education for cheese professionals. These programs are an add-on, curated experience to our European enthusiast tours. Professionals enrolled onto our programs will be mentored and fully immersed into the world 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, agriculture sustainability, and receive direct training from local cheesemongers in the art of selling and carrying these iconic cheeses.
We’re thrilled to be running two CURD TO COUNTER programs in 2026 and one in 2027. The first will be hosted in Switzerland, August 26 - 28, 2026 in collaboration with Gourmino, and the second will take place in Britain, October 13 - 17 , 2026 supported by Neal’s Yard Dairy and select British cheesemakers. Both programs run ahead of our signature Cheese Journeys tours in each of these locations.
Upon completion, these mentorship programs give participants the opportunity to return to their shop or teaching position to:
Share their travel experiences with colleagues and customers to enhance their appreciation of artisan cheese world.
Use their additional cheese knowledge and skills to sell and educate about artisan cheese, food, and wine.
WHO IS CURD TO COUNTER FOR?
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 enthusiasts.
OR
If you work in the cheese industry as a educator or trainer, these mentorship programs can provide you the first hand knowledge and rich experience needed to educate both cheese professionals and enthusiasts.
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA TO APPLY
All current CTC programs (Switzerland, August 26 - 28, 2026 , Britain, October 13 - 17, 2026, and Britain, April 6-10, 2027 ) will run ahead of our signature Cheese Journeys tours in each of these locations.
All applicants must:
Currently be working in a cheese shop that carries Neal’s Yard Dairy cheese or Gourmino cheese, or
Be in active contact with Neal’s Yard Dairy or Gourmino to begin the process of carrying their cheese, or
Currently be professionally educating/teaching on British and Swiss artisan cheese.
Be working at the same business or currently employed teaching about British or Swiss cheese when applying and the same business when later taking part in the mentorship/Cheese Journey tour.
Have their respective cheese shop owners’ approval to take part in the mentorship program.
2026 CURD TO COUNTER SWITZERLAND
This is a mentorship program, designed exclusively by Cheese Journeys and the award-winning Swiss makers and affineurs at Gourmino. It is an educational program for US-based cheese retail professionals and cheese educators.
The mentorship will start in Zurich, Switzerland and run from August 26 - 28, 2026. Cheese professionals will spend 3 days traveling with Roland Sahli, Co-Managing Director of Gourmino, Anna and John Juhl, Owners of Cheese Journeys and Tenaya Darlington, educator and author. They will spend time with the incredible team of Swiss cheesemakers, experience farm visits, cheesemaking, aging, and receive education from premier experts. Participants will then join our 8-day tour of Switzerland, The Ultimate Insider Cheese Journey with Gourmino from August 29 - September 5, 2026. We’ll spend additional time with world-class cheesemakers who are practicing unique mountain-cheesemaking traditions. Many are proud recipients of world cheese awards, all farming in breathtaking locations with picturesque creameries, cows grazing on the mountains with their bells providing music to seranade you. We’ll explore cheese caves, enjoy wine, beer, and cheese tastings, and experience the best-of-the-best from Switzerland – including chocolate, rare wines, and even a beautiful cow parade!
We’re thrilled to have collaborated with the following Swiss Cheesemakers for the 2026 program:
• F. Baumgarter of mountain cheese dairy, Trub
• M. Spycher of mountain cheese dairy, Fritzenhaus
• S. Schöpfer of mountain cheese dairy, Kleinstein
• R. Rüegg of cheese dairy Wildberg
HOW TO APPLY
Gourmino Switzerland 2026 Cheese Journey and Mentorship Program
Here’s how to qualify:
Cheese Professional shop owner/manager purchases the 8-day Switzerland cheese tour (August 29 - September 5, 2026) and meets the mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program (August 26 - 28, 2026) will then be free, excluding airfare.
or
Cheese Professional shop owner/manager collaborates with Cheese Journeys to bring their enthusiasts/customers on the 8-day Switzerland tour (August 29 - September 5, 2026) and meets the mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program will then be free, excluding airfare.
A Cheese Educator purchases the 8-day Switzerland cheese tour (August 29-September 5, 2026) and meets the mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program (August 26-28, 2026) will then be free, excluding airfare.
If you’re interested in applying for the CTC program, or you are a cheese shop owner or manager currently selling cut to order Swiss cheese from Gourmino, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Anna Juhl, CEO & Founder of Cheese Journeys at anna@cheesejourneys.com or phone 435-503-2282
Contact Joe Salonia, Gourmino, LTD Sales Manager at joe.salonia@gourmino.ch or phone 973-945-7354
2026 CURD TO COUNTER BRITAIN
This is a mentorship program designed by Cheese Journeys in collaboration with British cheesemakers and support from Neal’s Yard Dairy. It’s exclusively for US-based cheese retail professionals and cheese educators. It will run October 13 - 17, 2026 ahead of our British Cheese Odyssey tour October 18- 25, 2026.
Participants taking part will spend 3 days with an award-winning British cheesemaker and get a day of invaluable cheesemongering experience at Neal’s Yard Dairy (NYD). This involves farm visits, cheesemaking, education, a private tour of Neal’s Yard Dairy caves with a focus on the art of affinage, and mongering time at NYD retail shop. During the following 8-day tour, professionals have the additional opportunity to spend time with NYD in their aging caves in London, experience cheesemaking with Jamie Montgomery of Montgomery’s Cheddar, and Tom Calver of Westcombe Dairy. They will learn from Britain’s best cheese educators, Patrick McGuigan, and Britain’s Academy of Cheese Director, Tracey Colley, and receive an exclusive invitation to an annual gala dinner event celebrating 15 of Britain’s most renowned cheesemakers hosted at North Cadbury Court.
We’re thrilled to have collaborated with several of the following British Cheesemakers for the 2026 program:
• Tom Calver of Westcombe Dairy
• Jamie Montgomery of Montgomery’s Cheddar
• Ben Ticehurst, Head Cheesemaker at Trethowan Brothers
• Jonny and Dulcie Crickmore of Fen Farm Dairy
• Joe Schneider of Stichelton Dairy
• Sara and Paul Appleby of Appleby’s Dairy
HOW TO APPLY
Britain 2026 CTC Mentorship Program
Here’s how to qualify:
Cheese Professional shop owner/manager purchase the British Cheese Odyssey tour (October 18-25, 2026) and meet the mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program (October 13-17,2026) will then be free, excluding airfare.
Cheese Professional shop owner/manager collaborates with Cheese Journeys to bring their enthusiasts/customers on the 8-day British Cheese Odyssey tour (October 18-25, 2026) and meets mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program (October 13-17, 2026) will then be free, excluding airfare.
A Cheese Educator purchases the 8-day British Cheese Odyssey tour (October 18-25, 2026) and meets the mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program ( October 13-17, 2026) will then be free, excluding airfare.
If you’re a cheese shop owner or manager currently selling cut to order British cheese or a professional cheese educator, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Anna Juhl, Cheese Journeys CEO & Founder at anna@cheesejourneys.com or phone 435-503-2282
Contact Daria Mosman, Neal’s Yard Dairy Sales Manager at daria.mosman@nealsyarddairy.co.uk or phone 929-519-0011
2027 CURD TO COUNTER BRITAIN
This is a mentorship program designed by Cheese Journeys in collaboration with British cheesemakers , support from Neal’s Yard Dairy. It’s exclusively for US-based cheese retail professionals and cheese educators. It will run from April 6-10, 2027 ahead of our British Cheese Odyssey tour (April 11-18, 2027).
Partcipants taking part will spend 3 days with an award-winning British cheesemaker and get a day of invaluable cheesemongering experience at Neal’s Yard Dairy (NYD). This involves farm visits, cheesemaking, education, a private tour of Neal’s Yard Dairy caves with a focus on the art of affinage, and mongering time at NYD retail shop. During the following 8-day tour, professionals have the additional opportunity to spend time with NYD in their aging caves in London, experience cheesemaking with Jamie Montgomery of Montgomery’s Cheddar and Tom Calver of Westcombe Dairy. They will learn from Britain’s best cheese educators, Patrick McGuigan, and Britain’s Academy of Cheese Director, Tracey Colley, and receive an exclusive invitation to an annual gala dinner event celebrating 15 of Britain’s most renowned cheesemakers hosted at North Cadbury Court.
We’re thrilled to have collaborated with several of the following British Cheesemakers for the 2026 program:
• Tom Calver of Westcombe Dairy
• Jamie Montgomery of Montgomery’s Cheddar
• Ben Ticehurst, Head Cheesemaker at Trethowan Brothers
• Jonny and Dulcie Crickmore of Fen Farm Dairy
• Joe Schneider of Stichelton Dairy
• Sara and Paul Appleby of Appleby’s Dairy
HOW TO APPLY
Britain 2027 Cheese Odyssey tour and Mentorship Program
Here’s how to qualify:
Cheese Professional shop owner/manager purchase the British Cheese Odyssey tour (April 11-18, 2027) and meet the mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program (April 6-10, 2027) will then be free, excluding airfare.
Cheese Professional shop owner/manager collaborates with Cheese Journeys to bring their enthusiasts/customers on the 8-day British Cheese Odyssey tour (April 11-18, 2027) and meets mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program (April 6-10, 2027) will then be free, excluding airfare.
A Cheese Educator purchases the 8-day British Cheese Odyssey tour (April 11-18, 2027) and meets the mentorship program criteria. The mentorship program ( April 6-10, 2027) will then be free, excluding airfare.
If you’re a cheese shop owner or manager currently selling cut to order British cheese or a professional cheese educator, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Anna Juhl, Cheese Journeys CEO & Founder at anna@cheesejourneys.com or phone 435-503-2282
Contact Daria Mosman, Neal’s Yard Dairy Sales Manager at daria.mosman@nealsyarddairy.co.uk or phone 929-519-0011
Photography by Winter Caplanson and courtesy of Neal’s Yard Dairy and Gourmino respectively.