Exeter, UK – January 7, 2025 –January saw the launch of the Academy of Cheese’s partnership with the Michael Caines Academy in Exeter, giving hospitality students a unique and engaging cheese education experience.

The collaboration introduced top trainee chefs and hospitality students to the realm of artisan cheese, through a bespoke, hands-on training day as part of their two-year programme.  Students on the programme spent a full day making cheese, learning about cheese provenance, as well as tasting a large amount of cheese and discussing flavours.

This inaugural session was led by Academy of Cheese Training Partner, Patrick McGuigan, and held at Exeter College, home of the Michael Caines Academy, which was founded by Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines MBE.

With funding from Chiswick Cheese Market, 32 VRQ Cookery students were the first cohort to receive the Level One Certification course, which is the first step in the Academy’s tiered cheese education programme, designed to establish a greater understanding and appreciation of cheese.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us. I really enjoyed it, especially with how much you got us involved, definitely one of the best workshops yet.

A Day of Learning and Tasting

The day’s training kicked off with a hands-on experience in the college’s professional kitchen, with students learning how to make ricotta cheese. This practical session gave them insight into the basic process of cheese production, a useful and potentially cost-saving skill for future chefs.

Next, the students moved to the college’s Lecture Theatre, where they were introduced to a selection of cheeses, including an award-winning Le Gruyère AOP, a Gorgonzola PDO, and a local clothbound Cheddar from Quicke’s Cheese.

I would like to thank the academy of cheese for changing my opinion on cheese, I’ve never liked the taste of cheese, but the Academy has expanded my view and I now understand the depth of cheese.

Harry, 2nd Year Student

The afternoon brought more learning, as students received a demonstration on cheese cutting and wrapping techniques. This session focused on portion control and reducing waste—key concepts for any professional kitchen. The day concluded with an inspiring pairing masterclass held at @ thirty-four, the commercially run, on-site college restaurant, which is open to the general public. Students had the opportunity to experiment with pairing three different cheeses and accompaniments, sparking creativity and expanding their culinary horizons.

A Milestone for Cheese Education

The collaboration between the Academy of Cheese and the Michael Caines Academy is a significant step in the Academy’s mission to expand cheese education across the UK. By equipping the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals with an in-depth understanding of cheese, the Academy aims to empower students to incorporate cheese into their menus in innovative, thoughtful, and impactful ways.

Thank you so much for providing this experience for us!! I found it inspiring in that a simple thing such as cheese can be used in so many different ways to create different experiences and delights, and how a restaurant can integrate new and different ideas into their menus.

Millie

This partnership also marks a seminal moment for Chiswick Cheese Market, who funded the training. The Market, which takes place every 3rd Sunday in the month, is run by a group of volunteers, many of whom hail from cheffing backgrounds themselves.  Co-founder Lucy Cufflin emphasized the importance of cheese in the hospitality world, “We are thrilled to support this collaboration, which introduces students to artisan cheeses and highlights their role in our restaurants and food industries”.

Preparing the Next Generation of Hospitality Professionals

The Michael Caines Academy provides world-class training for aspiring chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals. Students are carefully selected through a rigorous two-day process, with those chosen displaying both passion and talent. The Academy’s goal is to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the competitive hospitality industry, with an emphasis on practical learning and real-world experiences.

We were thrilled to host the Academy of Cheese Level One course at the Michael Caines Academy; Patrick McGuigan’s expert guidance and passion for cheese made the experience both educational and inspiring for our students. It was an unforgettable journey into the world of cheese.

Ian Biggar, Programme Lead & Tutor, Exeter College

Looking Ahead: Expanding Cheese Education

The success of the inaugural session has set the stage for the Academy of Cheese to expand its bespoke cheese training to other hospitality institutions. The Academy is also planning to offer more advanced certification courses in response to the growing demand for specialist cheese knowledge within the industry.

This collaboration with the Michael Caines Academy is a huge step in our commitment to raising the standards of cheese knowledge and appreciation. By offering the Level One Certification to students at such an esteemed institution, we are helping foster a new generation of cheese experts who will shape the future of both the UK hospitality and cheese industries.

Tracey Colley, Director, Academy of Cheese
Group photo of 31 students at the Michael Caines Academy standing with Training Partner Patrick McGuigan

About the Michael Caines Academy

The Michael Caines Academy, located at Exeter College, provides top-tier training for aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals. The programme combines practical qualifications with exclusive opportunities to learn from industry leaders, offering students a comprehensive approach to excelling in their careers.

With Special Thanks to…

We would like to thank the Michael Caines Academy, staff at Exeter College and Chiswick Cheese Market for helping to make this training possible.