Curd to Counter Switzerland
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS BY CHEESE JOURNEYS
A mentorship program connecting international cheese retail professionals & educators with Switzerland’s Finest Cheesemakers.
What is CURD TO COUNTER SWITZERLAND?
CURD TO COUNTER SWITZERLAND August 24th - Sept 4th 2027 - PLACES OPEN
CURD TO COUNTER is a mentorship program created by Cheese Journeys in collaboration with Gourmino Cheesemakers. It connects U.S.-based and international cheese retail professionals with Switzerland’s best artisan cheesemakers.
The goal of this mentorship program is to drive further awareness and appreciation of Swiss cheese heritage, theory and practice for a select group of cheese professionals. Selected participants will join Cheese Journeys travelers on the Switzerland tour ().
During this 8-day tour, professionals will have the additional opportunity to explore Gourmino Ltd. and its aging caves and experience cheesemaking with award-winning Gourmino cheesemakers.
CURD TO COUNTER BY CHEESE JOURNEYS • PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Program Objective
To select 4-5 cheese professionals to learn about Swiss cheesemaking and affinage from Gourmino Ltd. Participants will take part in retail cheesmongering with an experienced Swiss cheese shop, plus 2 ½ days of dairy and farm visits. Participants will be fully immersed in the world of cheesemaking, from pasture to production and affinage. Plus, they’ll learn about history, alpage traditions, sustainability, and future growth.
Additional Details and Requirements
· The 3-day CURD TO COUNTER program can only be completed as part of the Switzerland tour with Cheese Journeys and is exclusive to international cheese retail professionals and educators currently working in the industry.
· Once selected, it is the cheese professional’s responsibility to coordinate booking and travel plans with Cheese Journeys’ Jilly Sitch, complete tour forms and documentation, select, book, and pay for their flight to Zurich International Airport, Zurich, Switzerland.
· There is no additional cost for the 3-day CURD TO COUNTER Mentorship Program. Participation includes both the mentorship program and Cheese Journeys’ tour of Switzerland.
· Upon completion of the mentorship program and tour, the cheese professional agrees to present their experience and provide relevant findings, insights and knowledge with their team of mongers back at their place of employment or a select audience who could benefit from the knowledge.
· All visiting cheese professionals will sign a consent and a release of liability form for the time they are traveling and visiting the Swiss cheesemakers’ dairy/business location and participating in the Cheese Journeys tour.
· All cheese professionals involved in the program agree to share program highlights across social media platforms, to leverage content and experiences from the mentorship program, and promote awareness. This includes tagging @cheesejourneys and all relevant parties where applicable and incorporating the program hashtag #CURDTOCOUNTER.
How Do Cheese Professionals Apply?
• All applicants must be 1) currently be working in a cheese shop that carries Gourmino cheese, or, 2) be in contact with Gourmino to begin the process of carrying their cheese, or, 3) publicly educate/teach about artisan cheese from Switzerland.
• All applicants must be working at the same business or currently teaching about cheeses from Switzerland when applying and traveling for the mentorship/Cheese Journey tour.
• All applicants must have their respective cheese shop owners’ approval to take part in the mentorship program.
Additional Requirements
Please provide the following:
1) A 1-page proposal on how knowledge gained from the CURD TO COUNTER program will be shared and utilized across the business you are representing. Highlight how this knowledge will help to meet two of your professional goals.
2) A 1-page resumé.
3) If a non-owner of a store, please provide a letter of recommendation from a supervisor.
Where Do I Send My Application?
Please address your application to Cheese Journeys Founder and CEO Anna Juhl, via email at Anna@cheesejourneys.com
What Happens Next?
Upon receipt of your application, Anna Juhl of Cheese Journeys contact you to schedule a phone conversation and answer any additional questions you may have.
Photography by Winter Caplanson and courtesy of Neal’s Yard Dairy and Gourmino respectively.