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Andreea Popa: Championing Romania’s Artisan Cheese Industry
- Rachel
- 4 months ago
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Romania’s cheese industry is undergoing a renaissance. Perceptive of its early signs and appreciating its potential, is UK-based chef and cheese advocate Andreea Popa. Through her tireless dedication and innovative approach, Andreea is shining a well-deserved spotlight on Romania’s artisanal cheesemakers, helping them reach new heights and gain international recognition.
From the Romanian Countryside to the UK: Andreea’s Journey
Andreea Popa grew up in the Romanian countryside, always by the side of her father, an agronomist, learning about sustainable farming and the importance of quality produce. Her early life in the tranquil countryside shaped her deep connection to nature and her passion for food.
After moving to the UK, Andreea pursued a career as a chef, working as a private chef in various shooting estates. It was during this time that she developed an appreciation for the beauty of the English countryside, its culinary traditions and cheese.
Despite now calling London home, her heart remains in the English and Romanian countryside. Driven by her curiosity, Andreea went on to study cheese, applying her newfound knowledge to create cheese-centric dishes and dinners.
She later founded Cheese Orbit, a platform aimed at bridging the gap between Romanian and international cheese cultures, introducing audiences to a broader world of cheese.
Bringing Cheese Education to Romania
One of Andreea’s most significant accomplishments this year, on the back of her setting up her own business, Cheese Orbit, has been the launch of her Academy of Cheese Level One courses in Romanian. This groundbreaking initiative, launched in September, offers Romanian speakers the chance to dive deep into the art and science of cheese. These courses, designed for both consumers and professionals, are a testament to Andreea’s belief in the power of education to drive change. By making cheese knowledge more accessible, she is helping foster a stronger connection between consumers and producers, which, in turn, supports the growth of Romania’s artisan cheese industry.
Andreea has found herself on the other side of the desk this year, having successfully completed the Academy’s Level Three course – just one of a handful of cheese experts to have been awarded this advanced accreditation – earning herself the title of Fellow of the Academy of Cheese.
“The Academy of Cheese levels have guided me from scratching the rind to a deep dive into the world of cheese. Level Three in particular is a complex journey; from cheese making and the history of cheese around the world to an in-depth sensory analysis to name just a few aspects.”
Andreea Popa
Supporting Romania’s Artisan Cheese Makers
Andreea’s passion for Romanian cheese goes beyond education. She’s also working directly with cheesemakers to help them elevate their products and gain global recognition. This year, two of Romania’s finest cheese producers—Five Continents and Caritas—were awarded prestigious medals at the World Cheese Awards. Five Continents took home a Gold medal for their Branza Fermentata Horezu, a cheese that embodies the rich traditions of Valcea County. Caritas, a rural development non-profit, also earned a Gold medal for their Gyergyoi Kezmuves Sajt, a semi-hard cheese aged for six months.
Last year, Andreea visited Caritas on her annual cheesemakers tour. She spent time with the team, tasted their cheeses and encouraged them to enter international competitions. Caritas and Five Continents are now making their mark on the global cheese stage, proving that small producers from Romania can compete with the best in the world.
While Andreea is humble about her role, her belief in Romanian producers and her guidance are undoubtedly valuable.
Encouraging Excellence Through Competition
Even when awards aren’t given, Andreea is a firm believer in the power of competitions like the World Cheese Awards to motivate producers. Having their cheeses judged by esteemed experts from around the world provides invaluable feedback and inspires cheesemakers to refine their recipes and strive for excellence. Andreea is thrilled that Romania’s small producers are gaining recognition, and she eagerly anticipates seeing even more Romanian cheeses featured in the future.
A Passionate Advocate for Cheese Education
In addition to her work with Romanian cheesemakers, Andreea has been actively involved in spreading cheese knowledge globally. As a Training Partner, she believes that an educated community—both consumers and professionals—is essential for supporting small cheese producers. Andreea’s journey has been one of constant communication with cheesemakers, encouraging them and helping them navigate the complexities of the global cheese market.
This year, she has balanced her passion for cheese with participation in numerous events across Romania, where she introduced audiences to the diverse world of cheeses and shared creative cheese pairing ideas. She has also served as a judge at prestigious international cheese competitions, including the Concours International de Lyon and the Frankfurt Trophy, further establishing her expertise in the field.
A Taste of Tradition and Innovation
Beyond her role as an educator and advocate, Andreea continues to curate exciting experiences that celebrate both traditional and modern Romanian cheeses. One such event was a cheese tasting masterclass held at “Heritage – A Festival of Art & Joy” held at the Zagujeni Estate in October. Andreea explored the connection between cheese, terroir, and wine and was chosen, says Victor Paicu, owner of Zagujeni, to offer a unique experience to visitors to the Festival.
“Andreea was perfectly positioned to introduce our guests to the extraordinary world of Romanian artisan cheese. On the one hand, she curated for us artisan producers, including from our area, Banat, and helped us discover their products. On the other hand, Andreea managed to explain to various categories of cheese enthusiasts the influences of the terroir, and how to pair the gourmet cheese she so meticulously selected with our favourite wines from SERVE, a distinguished Romanian winery.”
By collaborating with wine expert, Arnold Ispas, a WSET Level 2 student currently advancing to his Level 3, Andreea is pushing the boundaries of what Romanian cheese can become, bringing new ideas and flavours to the table while honouring its rich heritage.
Looking Toward the Future
Andreea Popa’s impact on the Romanian cheese industry is undeniable. Through her courses, webinars, masterclasses, and tastings, she is building bridges between Romanian producers and international markets. Her work is helping to elevate Romanian cheeses, giving them the recognition they deserve on the global stage. And with her unwavering commitment to supporting small-scale producers and promoting cheese education, there’s no doubt that Andreea’s efforts will continue to drive Romania’s cheese industry forward.
As Romanian cheeses gain global acclaim, we can be sure that Andreea Popa’s tireless advocacy will play a key role in shaping the future of this vibrant industry. Her passion for cheese, combined with her dedication to promoting Romania’s rich cheese-making tradition, is inspiring a new era of artisanal excellence.
Follow Andreea’s Journey
You can learn more about Andreea and her latest initiatives, projects and courses here.
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