certification

LEVEL THREE

ABOUT STANDARDS & OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT Courses

Level Three: Fellow

Level Three is aimed at cheese enthusiasts and individuals in the following professions: senior staff in cheese retail, food service or wholesale; cheesemakers; judges for cheese competitions; technologists; or associated professions.

About the Academy Level Three certification.

To gain Level Three accreditation, delegates are required to pass eight modules, these are purchased individually and studied on a module-by-module basis. There are four core and four (out of a total of eight) supplementary modules. Delegates can choose the four supplementary modules they want to study. All modules are accessed via online Learning Roads and each module will have an online assessment.

Who is it for?

The Academy of Cheese Level Three certification is aimed at cheese enthusiasts and individuals in the following professions: senior staff in cheese retail, food service or wholesale; cheesemakers; judges for cheese competitions; technologists; or associated professions.

How it works

Level Three is studied on a modular basis; not only allowing delegates to schedule coursework around work commitments and spread the cost, but enabling them to tailor the course to suit their personal interests. Each individual Level Three module has instant access to a learning road, created by world-class cheese industry professionals, and includes digestible chapters and progress checks.

Prerequisites

To gain Level Three certification candidates will have gained Level One & Level Two Academy of Cheese certifications previously and will need to pass all eight modules.

NB. All modules are available for purchase by individuals wishing to expand their existing knowledge (without certification) even if they have not previously studied with the Academy of Cheese.

Assessment

For each module candidates must complete an online assessment consisting of 30 to 100 questions with a combination of multiple choice and short written answers (Pass mark ≥80%).

Standards & Learning Outcomes

For an individual to gain Academy of Cheese Accreditation at Level Three they will have to complete and pass the assessment in each of the four core modules below plus four (out of nine) of the supplementary modules. The choice of which supplementary modules they wish to study is up to the individual.

Core Modules

STANDARDS

Has an in-depth knowledge of the cheesemaking process, including quantities of starter, rennet and other ingredients.
Has knowledge of the effects of bacteriophage on cheesemaking.
Has sufficient knowledge to be able to make and mature a ripened cheese.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Calculate dosage of starter cultures and rennet for a recipe and adjust quantities according to rennet strength.

Describe the effect of salt reduction and sodium-replacement in cheesemaking, including the effect on Non-Starter Lactic Acid Bacteria.

Identify types of cheese being made according to the process steps undertaken and identify cheesemaking processes appropriate for cheeses from different MPM classes.

Recall the species of starter cultures commonly used in cheesemaking and identify appropriate starters for different cheese recipes.

Describe the effect of bacteriophage during cheesemaking and recall the main ways of controlling it.

Explain the terms Fat in Dry Matter and Moisture in Fat Free Basis and how they are calculated.

Describe the methods of manufacture of processed cheese.

Describe the options available for the processing of whey and describe the economic and practical considerations around this.

STANDARDS

Has detailed knowledge of the global history of cheese and can present this information to an audience.
Has knowledge of the production volumes and patterns of consumption in the global cheese industry.
Has knowledge of the environmental impact of cheese production and distribution and the probable ramifications of climate change on food production and the likely implications for the food industry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Recall key events in the history of cheese and present them to an audience in an appropriate way.

Recall production volumes and patterns of consumption in countries with significant levels of production and consumption.

Can explain the environmental impact of cheese industry and provide examples of how negative impact can be mitigated.

STANDARDS

Knows how the senses of taste and flavour are formed and processed and what triggers them
Understands how to optimise one’s ability to taste objectively
Understands the metabolic pathways by which tastes and flavours are created in cheese
Understands how the metabolic pathways and therefore tastes and flavours are created in cheese
Understands how the metabolic pathways and therefore tastes and flavours can be influenced by interventions taken by the cheesemaker and affineur
Has knowledge of best practice in conducting product sensory analysis including building a language of taste and flavour and achieving objective assessments
Understands how and when a cheese may conform to a standard
Through tasting cheese demonstrate how to identify its Make Post-Make and Ageing category and its milk source and assess how it conforms to expected flavours

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Describe the key taste receptors (the oral, nasal and trigeminal nerve) and their roles in processing or discerning taste and flavour

Describe how to optimise one’s ability to taste objectively through establishing a good tasting environment and understanding one’s personal tasting sensitivity

Can describe the metabolic pathways in typical cheese makes, and identify at what different points tastes and flavours are created.

Can identify how tastes and flavours can be influenced by interventions taken by the cheesemaker and affineur, such as adding to or reducing the enzymes in the milk, affecting the optima for enzymatic action, and inhibiting or encouraging microflora.

Describe different tools for communicating about taste and flavour, including flavour wheels, tasting notes, flavour lexicons, and chemical flavour libraries; and can describe different techniques used in product analysis, including discrimination testing, tasting panels, time-intensity testing, consumer acceptability testing, competition judging, and grading.

Describe the various standards that can be applied when describing cheeses in different circumstances on a scale from Protected Food Names to single batch production, and how, and when, these are useful or relevant depending on the requirements of the consumer.

Can identify tastes and flavours in a piece of cheese, understand how they may have been created in the Metabolic Cascade, and from that identify the likely Make Post-Make Ageing profile of that cheese and its milk source.

Can use information about a cheese (Make, Post-Make, Ageing, milk source) to assess how it conforms to expected tastes and flavours.

STANDARDS

Recognises 300 cheeses by name, producer, Academy of Cheese Make Post-Make (MPM) class, species of milking animal, protected status, heat treatment, rennet type and Country/region of origin.
Knows the background information, cheese make and maturation process and key characteristics of the 300 cheeses on the Level 3 list.
Has knowledge of different formal classification systems that are used to categorise cheese

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify 300 cheeses by name, producer, Academy of Cheese Make Post-Make (MPM) class, species of milking animal, protected status, heat treatment, rennet type and Country/region of origin.

Recall the background information, cheese make and maturation process, and key characteristics of the 300 cheeses on the Level 3 list.

Identify the 300 cheeses on the level 3 list by appearance.

Can compare-and-contrast formal classification systems used to categorise cheese: Codex Alimentarius General Standard for Cheese, Lenoir et al, Mietton et al, Academy of Cheese MPM Model, Specialist Cheesemakers Association Processes for Hard and Soft Cheeses.

Understands how different classification, formal and informal, systems are used within different parts of the industry, and how informal systems have evolved to assist communication with consumers.

Supplementary Modules

STANDARDS

Has a detailed knowledge of the role of additives and enzymes in the cheese making process.
Has knowledge of different cheese defects and can suggest possible solutions

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Describe the function of additives and enzymes used in cheesemaking, including Annatto, Calcium Chloride, Vegetable Carbon, Nitrate, Lysozyme, Lipase, Lactase, Sodium Bicarbonate, Natamycin.

Identify some common cheese defects, evaluate the effect on cheese quality and suggest appropriate solutions where possible (early blowing defect, late blowing defect, excessive acidification, excessive curd moisture, starter failure, rancid flavour defect).

STANDARDS

Has understanding of how ruminants digest feed and produce milk, and how differences in species, breed and nutrition can affect the quality of milk for cheesemaking
Has knowledge of the difference between hygienic and compositional quality of milk and a range of ways these can be assessed
Has knowledge of how milk composition and quality can impact its suitability for cheesemaking

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Explain the effects of different feeds, milk composition and animal genetics on milk and cheese quality.

Evaluate data relating to milk composition and hygiene and assess the relative cheesemaking potential of data provided for different consignments of milk.

Describe the importance of protein to fat ratio in determining yield efficiency and how this can be achieved by milk standardisation.

STANDARDS

Is able to grade cheese, to assess its quality and condition.
Has knowledge of the ripening conditions required to bring a cheese to optimum condition within a given time scale.
Has knowledge of materials used for the ripening of cheese, including wood, plastic and metal.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Assess the quality and condition of a cheese.

Identify the ripening conditions required to bring a cheese to optimum condition within a given timescale.

Recall the different materials to ripen cheese and describe their positive benefits as well as any special considerations prior to use.

STANDARDS

Has knowledge of the considerations that buyers in different sized organisations and different cheese economies will use to assess the demand for cheeses in their market.
Understands the 4 core outcomes that a buyer will be seeking to achieve to satisfy this demand, i.e. right product, in the right condition, at the right price, in the right location.
Understands the pros and cons of buying from high, low volume or hybrid producers.
Has knowledge of the risks and opportunities that a buyer will be seeking to balance when choosing the most appropriate supplier to meet demand
Has knowledge of the supply chain issues that a buyer will need to manage particularly with respect to stock holding, distribution and transport to ensure any cheese arrives in the right condition at the right price to the right location.
Has knowledge of the additional challenges buying and selling across borders brings and the further considerations that must be managed when distributing in different markets.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Explain the considerations that buyers in different size organisations and different cheese economies will use to assess the demand for cheese in their market

Describe in detail the 4 core outcomes that a buyer will be seeking to achieve to satisfy this demand, specifical right product, in the right condition, at the right price, in the right location.

Explain the pros and cons of buying from High or Low Volume or Hybrid producers.

Expand upon the risks and opportunities that a buyer will be seeking to balance when choosing the most appropriate supplier to meet demand.

Describe the supply chain issues that a buyer will need to manage to ensure that any cheese arrives in the right condition at the right price to the right location (particularly stock holding, distribution and transport).

Outline the challenges buying and selling across borders brings and the considerations which must be managed when distributing in different markets.

STANDARDS

Understands how to serve and present a relevant, safe, quality cheese offer to consumers in various environments (face-to-face retail; online; hospitality).
Understands the key levers to focus on to deliver a profitable cheese offer to consumers in those environments.
Can recommend appropriate cheeses for recipes based upon expected properties (eg melting, crumbling, grating).

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Identify the most effective presentation techniques to sell cheese in their market.

Recall the major food safety and best practice issues relating to the presentation and serving of cheese direct to consumers.

Identify and influence the key levers including average transaction value, number of visitors, conversion rate, product cost of goods sold, and wastage to deliver a profitable cheese offer to consumers.

Suggest appropriate cheeses for different recipes, based upon melting, grating or crumbling properties of the cheese.

STANDARDS

Is able to speak or write about cheese or cheesemaking at a level appropriate to the audience. Will be examined at Master of Cheese
Can recommend appropriate cheeses for recipes based upon expected properties (eg melting, crumbling, grating). Covered in L3 Presenting & Serving
Has knowledge of different classification systems that are used to categorise cheese Covered in Cheese Library

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Deliver a short spoken or written work on the subject of cheese or cheesemaking, at a level appropriate to the audience.

Suggest appropriate cheeses for different recipes, based upon melting, grating or crumbling properties of the cheese.

Can compare-and-contrast classification systems used to categorise cheese: Codex Alimentarius General Standard for Cheese, Lenoir et al, Mietton et al, Academy of Cheese MPM Model, Specialist Cheesemakers Association Processes for Hard and Soft Cheeses, ACS Judging Categories.

STANDARDS

Has knowledge of appropriate Food Safety Management Systems (including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and can identify operational pre-requisites and validated Critical Control Points).
Has knowledge of food safety incidents involving cheese and other dairy products (outbreaks, recalls).
Has knowledge of the risks posed by food tampering and fraud and the ways in which these can be controlled.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Can explain how hygiene can be facilitated by dairy and equipment design and describe how hygiene can be managed where forward process flow is not possible.

Recall the twelve steps of HACCP.

Describe different examples HACCP-based procedures during cheesemaking and ripening, distribution and sale – including simplified procedures and the circumstances in which they might be appropriate.

Can recall the key features of Hazard Analysis and Risk- Based Preventive Controls (HARPC)

Can explain the ways in which food adulteration and food fraud can be prevented in the food chain through Threat Assessment, Vulnerability Assessment and Supplier Assurance.

STANDARDS

Has knowledge of the main food safety and hygiene regulations relating to cheesemaking, maturation and sale including microbiological criteria.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Recall the microbiological criteria relevant to cheese in the UK, EU, USA and Australia/New Zealand.

STANDARDS

Has knowledge of control and labelling of substances likely to cause allergic reaction or food intolerances.
Has knowledge of the regulation of claims around health benefits on foods.
Has knowledge of the allergens most likely to be associated with cheese and the mechanism of the allergy.
Has knowledge of consumer concerns related to allergies and intolerances concerning cheese.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Recall the regulatory limits for allergens or substances causing food intolerance and evaluate the labelling requirements for a cheese ingredient.

Can recall relevant legislation in relation to making health claims about foods.

Can recall allergens associated with cheese and describe the mechanism of an allergy.

Can evaluate consumer concerns around allergies and intolerances related to cheese and provide nuanced responses to those concerns.

Assessment & Certification

100

It is anticipated that it will take approximately 100 hours to study for Level Three. Modules may be studied, in any order, separately, over a period of time.

It is anticipated that the Cheese Library module will take approximately 50 hours of self study plus as much time as candidates wish to commit to training and tasting.

Each Module (other than the Cheese Library module) will take approximately 3 hours of training time plus approximately the same amount of time as home study.

Cheese Library module

Expand

It is recommended that candidates have completed the Academy of Cheese Level One & Two Certifications as these cover the foundations for the learning at Level Three & Four.

Study

The candidate is expected to have learnt about all of the 300 cheeses on the Level Three list (which includes 100 from Levels One & Two) by the time of their assessment.

Taste

Candidates should have tasted as many as is practically possible within their country or region, or where this is not possible, a range of similar cheeses in the same Make, Post-Make class.

Level Three Frequently Asked Questions

To gain Level Three accreditation, delegates are required to pass eight modules, these are purchased individually and studied on a module-by-module basis. The modules consist of four core and four (out of a total of eight) supplementary modules. Delegates can choose the four supplementary modules they want to study. All modules are accessed via online Learning Roads and each module will have an online assessment. Certain modules will have accompanying, optional training courses that candidates can choose to purchase separately.

Delegates will need to purchase the individual modules through the Academy of Cheese website.

All Level Three modules are available for purchase as standalone, advanced level cheese courses by individuals wishing to expand their existing knowledge, even if they have not previously studied with the Academy of Cheese. To gain Level Three Certification, however, candidates will need to have gained Level One & Level Two Academy of Cheese certifications as well as passing all eight Level Three modules.

Yes. Delegates can study as many modules as they wish at any time.

Core modules

Cheese Library

Cheesemaking : Recipes, Techniques, and Underlying Principles

Tasting

Cheese Industry Knowledge

Supplementary modules

Cheesemaking: Additives & Enzymes

Milk Production

Maturing, Affinage & Grading

Buying and Distribution

Presenting and Serving

Regulation and Good Practice 1 (HACCP & Food Security)

Regulation and Good Practice 2 (Microbiological Criteria)

Regulation and Good Practice 3 (Food Health)

All study resources will be available to download.

Delegates access to the online Learning Road will be open ended until all modules are available from the Academy of Cheese. It is recommended the online assessment is completed within 6 months. There is no time limit to complete all modules.

There is a resit fee of £10, payable to the Academy of Cheese.