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 make more kinds of cheese than anywhere else on the planet.

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?

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":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Tasting the finished product"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Swiss"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Journalist"}]

[{"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":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"When living in Wisconsin, it's not a choice - it's just something you have to do."},{"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":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Wood River Creamery Original"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Hunting, fishing, or going for a motorcycle ride"}]

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

[{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Work in my shop, play with my dog Sammy, have a Bourbon on the rocks, and hug my wife. Not in any particular order."},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Any of the three cities where my grandchildren live."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"No particular type of music, I like them all."}]

[{"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 part of your job? ", "answer":"Working on different recipes, and hearing others say how much they love your cheese."},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Door County"}]

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

[{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Cheddar"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Classic car restoration"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Cheddar"}]

[{"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":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Once again Emmenthaler"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Anywhere north of the Illinois border."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Country/Western"}]

[{"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":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"If there is any daylight left, sitting on the lake or out in the woods"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Hunting and fishing guide out West somewhere."},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Up north - Parrish, Wisconsin"}]

[{"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":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Aged Swiss"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Driving to work safely. Watch out for those that drive like it's June or July."}]

[{"question":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Albany, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1985"}]

[{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Sit down and have a cold beer before making supper."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Teaching younger cheesemakers the finer points of the process."}]

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

[{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Socializing with family and friends. Talking about ANYTHING other than work."},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Acceptance and adaptation. Accept the fact, we cannot change the weather, at least not yet. From there, it is only a matter of how you adapt to your environment, always be prepared for each day's forecast."},{"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":"What is your hometown? ", "answer":"Theresa, Wisconsin"},{"question":"What year did you start making cheese? ", "answer":"1968"}]

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Probably open and run a cheese store"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock and Folk"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Take a walk or read"}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"My co-workers, milk patrons, and cheese customers"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Mild Cheddar"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Medium Cheddar"}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Door County"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Sharp Cheddar and Gorgonzola"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Running / Biking"}]

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

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"I would most likely be a Chef."},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"BelGioioso Parmesan"},{"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":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"National park guide"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Stay active"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Time with my Yorkshire Terriers"}]

[{"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":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Crown Royal and 7-Up!"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Home"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Farm"}]

[{"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":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Love 'em all, good cheese is good cheese - Aged Cheddar."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Country - Alabama"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Good workmanship on the cheese being made, and compliments on our cheese."}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Port Washington"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Embrace it, you can't change Mother Nature"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Cheddar"}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Every day brings new opportunities to learn something new."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Anything from the 80's or 90's is fine."},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Aged Swiss cheese"}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Making something that people can enjoy."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Wausau, Wisconsin / Rib Mountain"}]

[{"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 music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Listen to the cheesemaking process at work. Outside of work, I listen to Classic Rock and select Classical and Jazz pieces."},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Hike and spend time outdoors."},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"MontAmore Cheddar"}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Our cabin UP NORTH! Townsend, Wisconsin."},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Aged Cheddar - older the better."},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Head home, spend time in my yard, and spend time with my antique tractor collection."}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"BelGioioso Fontina"},{"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":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"BelGioioso Fontina"}]

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

[{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Quark"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Teaching"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Fireplace"}]

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

[{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Aged Cheddar"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Welder or mechanic"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Havarti"}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Classic Rock"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"LaGrander's Pepper Jack"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin?", "answer":"At home with my family"}]

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

[{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Stay warm and keep the driveway clean"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Architectural Engineer"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Teaching - passing on cheesemaking knowledge to the next generation of cheesemakers"}]

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

[{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Skiing"},{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Home"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"I always whistle"}]

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

[{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Playing with my kids."},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"We do not listen to music while working, but if we could it would be Classic Rock."},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"BelGioioso Fontina"}]

[{"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":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Emmenthal"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Emmenthal"},{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Something mechanical"}]

[{"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":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Just deal!"},{"question":"Favorite music to listen to while you work? ", "answer":"Eric Church radio"},{"question":"Favorite part of your job? ", "answer":"Having a customer tell you that you are doing a good job!"}]

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

[{"question":"Favorite place in Wisconsin? ", "answer":"Morrison, Wisconsin - where I first met my wife."},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Making sure there is a pile of firewood ready for the wood burner."},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"I would jump on my tractor and go for a ride."}]

[{"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":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Dress like you mean it!"},{"question":"How do you unwind after a long day of cheesemaking? ", "answer":"Reading or property upkeep"},{"question":"Favorite cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? ", "answer":"Swiss"}]

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

[{"question":"If you weren’t a cheesemaker, what would you do instead?", "answer":"Starve"},{"question":"When push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite cheese? ", "answer":"Gouda"},{"question":"Survival strategy for Wisconsin winters? ", "answer":"Read books, ice fish, vacation, seek and destroy Ironwood trees, seek out a new culinary experience"}]

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