Anna grew up in Iowa enjoying the traditional foods of her Czech, German and Swedish ancestors.  Her parents took her on nontraditional vacation adventures that were far off the beaten path fueling her passion for travel.  Her love of quality food and hospitality inspired her to create and manage the family business - Juhl Haus Market & Café - a food destination in Salt Lake City for which she sourced the finest cheeses and other artisanal foods from European and American producers to share with her customers and chefs. 

Combining her hospitable personality with her zeal for travel, Cheese Journeys was launched in 2013. Anna and her team focus on working with the world's best artisan cheesemakers and wine producers to offer travelers a unique backdoor opportunity to visit their creameries and alpage herds, walk their vineyards, and dine at their tables. Cooking demonstrations, cheese pairing classes, and sumptuous meals prepared by Cheese Journeys’ private chefs add to each unique tour.

When Anna first traveled to Europe to meet legendary cheese producers, it was life changing and she wanted to be able to share this experience with others. She has been able to connect with like-minded travelers and has grown Cheese Journeys over the past ten years from three tours a year to eight! Her mission is to continue to curate new itineraries, expand her team of fun, international experts, while uncovering interesting cheesemaking stories- all in beautiful locations, while staying in unique chateau accommodations across Europe – a signature of the ultimate Cheese Journey.

@cheesejourneys

John grew up on an Iowa farm, in a German/Danish family, milking 22 cows whose milk went exclusively to make cheese.  He developed a love of fresh, local food at his mother’s table where essentially all ingredients were produced on the farm and his mother planned her menus around home-made pies.

John read Henry David Thoreau’s Walden as a teenager and was impacted by “Not till we are completely lost, or turned around, do we appreciate the vastness and strangeness of nature”.  His greatest passion in life is to wander through mountains, forests, and cities to observe things that he hasn’t seen before.  He has never been lost; he has just found new ways of getting home!  He spent 27 years as a National Bank Examiner working for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regulating the nation’s largest banks while traveling and working in 39 states and three foreign countries. 

His life was irrevocably changed by visits to the Roquefort caves, Georgio Cravero’s home, and the Cathedral of Comte.  The incredible flavors of artisan cheese, and the astonishing stories of the people who produce them, continue to motivate him to explore their world.

John supported Cheese Journeys behind the scenes for ten years prior to retiring in October 2023.  He now works with his wife, Anna, managing finances, scouting new locations, and helping to develop new tours for Cheese Journeys!

Jilly is an artisan cheese champion and advocate for the fine food and drink sector with over 45 years of experience in bespoke hospitality, catering, and events.

 Jilly inherited her love of fine food from her grandmother who was a head chef at a private estate in Southwest England.  It was Jilly’s first management role at a French restaurant that introduced her to international cuisine and speciality cheese, this interest was heightened when she moved to South Africa to run a restaurant group for five years.

 On returning to the UK and raising her three children, Jilly fully immersed herself in the world of cheese and took on the role of General Manager at Turnbull’s, an award-winning cheesemonger. During her ten-year tenure, Jilly managed established events and took on new initiatives such as The Shaftesbury Food Festival and The Gold Hill cheese race. She also became a judge at the Great Taste and World Cheese Awards, both organized under The Guild of Fine Food and internationally recognized.

 Jilly then diversified into teaching and ran The School of Fine Food - the educational arm of The Guild of Fine Food - as Training and Events Manager, where she traveled across the UK teaching management, counter, and retail teams how to run a successful store. Additionally, Jilly led a team to orchestrate and execute the Great Taste and World Cheese Awards and was also part of the team to establish the Academy of Cheese in the UK, inspired by the Certified Cheese Professional qualification run by the American Cheese Society.

 A monthly column in the trade publication Fine Food Digest was the perfect medium for Jilly to iterate and educate on the importance of food aesthetics and etiquette. “We eat with our eyes – and this informs what and how we consume, and what we want to learn more about, be it over the counter, off the shelf, or on the table,” Jilly notes.

 Today, Jilly upholds the same passion and professionalism for fine food education and hospitality.  Having spent her career on her own “cheese journey,” she loves nothing more than passing on her knowledge to fellow cheese enthusiasts across trade and consumer sectors.

@jillysitch_

Entrepreneur. Tastemaker. Gardener. Traveler. Marisela loves to cultivate beauty wherever she goes–at her family table in Virginia, in her own boutique, across continents, and in her garden. With a background in fine foods and catering, her passion for culinary artistry has led to collaborations with Cheese Journeys Travels & Events, where she curates immersive tasting experiences and thoughtfully designed gatherings that celebrate artisanal craftsmanship, storytelling, and the joy of shared tables.

For over 22 years, Marisela has been the proud owner of Sequels in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a curated women's resale boutique, where she thoughtfully selects pieces that tell a story and celebrate timeless style. Her shop is more than retail; it's a destination where fashion, sustainability, and personal connection meet. Through special collaborations with Sequels customers, she has extended the boutique experience beyond its walls, fostering community through shared travel, style inspiration, and meaningful connection.

An avid traveler, Marisela cherishes exploring the world with her husband by her side. Together, they can often be found brocanting through French markets and village fairs, sourcing one-of-a-kind treasures. Some of these carefully selected pieces even make their way back to her shop, adding layers of story, heritage, and global charm.

Beyond business, Marisela’s heart is rooted in the garden. A devoted master gardener, she finds joy in cultivating vibrant tulips and lush peony beds, tending to each season with the same care and artistry she brings to her culinary and boutique endeavors.