There's A Reason Wisconsin Breaks Every Mold

Celebrating
25 Years
of Mastery

We've been making cheese longer than Wisconsin has been a state. Cheese is our thing. But when we created the Master Cheesemaker program, we had no idea the impact all that mastery would have. We couldn't foresee our dominance at award shows around the world, or that we would go on to craft more than 600 varieties, types and styles of cheese.

Our Masters
Guide The Whey

The program allows makers to perfect both the art and the science of their craft. They leave anxious to spread that knowledge throughout their teams. That's why the program is a quality multiplier that reverberates across the state and around the world.

Our Masters
Reinvent The Wheel

Masters leave the program with more than a medal. They leave hungrier to explore all that's possible with cheese. The program is a major reason we make over 600 different kinds of cheese, more than any other state or country.

Our Masters
Ace Every Test

We don't give Masters medals to just anyone. You have to really want it. You must be a licensed Wisconsin cheesemaker for 10 years, and then you have to focus on one type of cheese with coursework and regularly submitted samples for an additional 3 years. Easy, cheesey, right?

Download Directory

Hall of Fame

Select a Master for more info

Search by

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Monroe, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1973"}]

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Journalist"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Swiss"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"What's a little snow and cold weather?"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Greenwood, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1978"}]

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"DNR"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Working with individuals that care and want to learn."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Grantsburg, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1971"}]

[{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Cut plenty of firewood ahead"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Hunting, fishing, or going for a motorcycle ride"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"Started helping my Dad at the age of 4. I worked in the factory through college and came back to the factory 1995. I got my cheesemakers license in 1995."}]

[{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Stay inside where it is warm, watch a game or movie, but enjoy the nice day outside by playing with dogs or going into the woods."},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Door County"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Hang out with my wife, four daughters, and our three dogs"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Darlington, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1984"}]

[{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Cheddar"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Classic car restoration"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Monroe, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"I started working around our cheese plant as a child in the 1950's. I am still here."}]

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"There is no second choice."},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Emmenthaler"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Anywhere north of the Illinois border."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and live in Little Chute, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1998"}]

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Up north - Parrish, Wisconsin"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Dress in layers"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Our Dill Havarti slices"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Juda, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1967"}]

[{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Get home and catch up on my to do list."},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Driving to work safely. Watch out for those that drive like it's June or July."},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Swiss"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Green Bay, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1996"}]

[{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"We aren't able to listen to music while we work, but if we could, anything from 80's Rock to Modern Rock. Sometimes the heavier, the better."},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Machine tooling or some career associated with being a Machinist."},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"The fact that dairy, its consumers and educators, have allowed for my "job" to be a career. Each day provides new challenges, keeping you sharp around the edges."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Theresa, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1968"}]

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Our cabin near Hayward, Wisconsin"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Stay active - walk, ski, snow shoe, etc."},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Mild Brick"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Rudolph, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1983"}]

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Not sure -- this is all I know"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Mild Cheddar"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Lake Du Bay"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Zittau, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"2003"}]

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"I have no idea"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Door County"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Wear layers / Good pair of boots"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Oconto Falls, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"2001"}]

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"The bay of Green Bay"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"It's all in your head, enjoy it!"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"I spend time with family, and also like fishing."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Fox Lake, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1974"}]

[{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Stay active"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"National park guide"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"80's"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Marshfield, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"Started with Dad and Mom at birth. Licensed at 15 years old or 51 years ago."}]

[{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Crown Royal and 7-Up"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Crown Royal and 7-Up!"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Extra Sharp Cheddar, Blue Marble, or Asiago. Any of them will do."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Kiel, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"When I was old enough to lean over a vat."}]

[{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Good workmanship on the cheese being made, and compliments on our cheese."},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Accounting"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Mississippi River"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Muscoda, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1990"}]

[{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Passing on the knowledge and experience I have gained."},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Auto Mechanic"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Catching up on the latest Dirt Racing news"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Monroe, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"2002"}]

[{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Sharp Cheddar"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Take up a winter sport, like curling."},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"I enjoy watching my son play hockey and attending my daughter’s dance competitions."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Brodhead, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"2003"}]

[{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Dill Havarti / Swiss Cheese"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Making something that people can enjoy."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Howards Grove, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"Started working in a cheese plant in 1991 and became licensed in 1996."}]

[{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"MontAmore Cheddar"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Favorite Wisconsin place to visit is Devil's Lake State Park. All time favorite place in Wisconsin is our family farm in Sheboygan County."},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Seeing people grow and develop new skills."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Kewaunee, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1997"}]

[{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Swiss on Rye. But it has to be Rye bread!"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Aged Cheddar - older the better."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Don't listen while at work, but away from work it is Country."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Brodhead, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1975"}]

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Wisconsin Dells"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Something creative with my hands."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"We are not able to listen to music while working, but if we could I enjoy talk radio."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Madison, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1989"}]

[{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Butterkäse"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Unwind?"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"R&B"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Monroe, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1965"}]

[{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"50's & 60's Rock & Roll"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Aged Cheddar"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"The satisfaction of eating a great product that I made."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Stanley, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese?", "answer":"Mid 1990's"}]

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin?", "answer":"At home with my family"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"LaGrander's Cheese Curds"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Colby, Wisconsin - the home of Colby cheese"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1999"}]

[{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Fresh Colby Longhorn - the younger the better"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Lambeau Field - huge Green Bay Packer fan and I just like the atmosphere, game day or not"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Spending time with my family"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1964"}]

[{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Aged Cheddar with apple"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Home"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Depends on the mood Canaria, 6 Year Cheddar, Penta Creme"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Green Bay, WI"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1999"}]

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Farming"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Showing others how cheese is made and the art of it."},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Playing with my kids."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Monroe, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"I grew up around the cheese factory helping as I could, full time in 1971"}]

[{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Producing pleasing cheese every day."},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"I like to go to our race shop, enjoy a beer, and either work on our cars or discuss plant issues with my brothers."},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Emmenthal"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Green County"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"As soon as I could put boots on."}]

[{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Pickalious - sweet pickles and Creamy Havarti"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Having a customer tell you that you are doing a good job!"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Madge Township"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Milwaukee, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1981"}]

[{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Teaching the next generation of cheesemakers."},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Swiss cheese"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Swiss cheese"}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"I was born in Middleton and grew up near Monroe."},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1960 at the age of 6, I started in the factory washing cheese cloths."}]

[{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Reading or property upkeep"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Swiss, due to the difficulty in producing good product."},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Working with the people on the floor and passing on whatever I might know."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"New Glarus, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1980"}]

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Coulee region"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Gouda"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Starve"}]

There's A Reason Wisconsin Breaks Every Mold

Celebrating25 Yearsof Mastery

Our MastersGuide The Whey

Our MastersReinvent The Wheel

Our MastersAce Every Test

Hall of Fame

Wisconsin Cheese Newsletter

Celebrating
25 Years
of Mastery

Our Masters
Guide The Whey

Our Masters
Reinvent The Wheel

Our Masters
Ace Every Test