Level 1
Associate
Mode
Self-Study
Trainer
Self Study | Level 1: Associate Certification
About
Why choose our self-study E-learning course?
Want to learn more about cheese? Then Level One is for you! Becoming an Associate of the Academy of Cheese is the first step to developing a greater understanding and appreciation of cheese.
The course will introduce you to the Academy’s own Structured Approach to Tasting and you will discover a range of tools to help you communicate more effectively about cheese. You’ll learn how cheese is made, how to assess quality, understand the provenance and range of cheese available. You’ll explore the main types and styles of cheese through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the skills to describe them, whilst studying (and hopefully tasting) 25 iconic cheeses, before you’re ready to sit your online exam and gain your first Academy of Cheese certification.
The Academy of Cheese study programme is online, accessible 24/7, giving you the flexibility to study when and where you want and around your existing commitments. Study on a PC, tablet or phone, from anywhere in the world at a time that suits you. You’ll receive 12 months access to the online Learning Road (your digital course book), and the option to join our online Guided Sessions. You study the content and take the online exam when it suits you. The course fee does not include cheese, offering the perfect excuse for a trip to the cheesemongers!
Why study Level One with the Academy of Cheese?
Anytime, anywhere
Study from anywhere in the world at a time that suits you with the Academy’s eLearning platform.
Learning road
12 Months access to our Level One (Associate Certification) Learning Road and level one exam.
Exclusive Delegate Resources
Downloadable digital delegate pack with informative visual guides to use alongside the Learning Road.
Cheese Library
12 Months Access To Our Academic Cheese Library (Over 450 Cheeses)
Online Guided Study Sessions
Self-study delegates are invited to attend a series of online Guided Sessions to help with their studies, enhance their learning journey and involve tasting and discussing a selection of Level One cheeses.
Instant Access
Start studying immediately!
Course Dates
Self Study | Level 1: Associate Certification
Choose a date and time
Associate Certification Self Study
- Anytime
- Online - Any Time
£149.00
Testimonials
What people are saying about our level one programme
Audience
Who's this course for
This course is open to everyone, whether you work in the cheese and associated industries, or if you just like to eat cheese. As a foundation level, it is perfect for individuals new to cheese study.
Cheese Lovers
Who just love cheese and want more pleasure from it
Cheese Mongers / Retailers
People working behind a cheese counter in farm shops and delis
Cheese Shop Owners
Managers and owners of cheese shops
Cheese Makers
People starting or progressing a career in cheesemaking
Food Writers
People involved in promoting cheese and speciality foods
Wholesalers & Distributors
Professionals who sell cheese through the cheese chain
Sommeliers
People who serve, sell and talk about wine
What You'll Learn On This Self Study Course
Take a look at what you’ll learn on our Level One (Associate Certification) Self Study Course.
1: Milk Production and Cheesemaking
How to describe the key ingredients used in cheesemaking and their purpose
Have an overview of the steps involved in cheesemaking and maturation
Understand the Academy of Cheese Make/Post-Make (MPM) Model
Understand how milk is produced
2: Maturing, Affinage and Grading
Recognise the condition of a soft mould-ripened cheese in terms of degree of ripeness
Understands cheese grading and its relevance
Understands the role of maturation and affinage in adding value to the product
Knows the different techniques to accelerate and decelerate ripening in soft mould-ripened cheese
3: Buying and Distribution
Understand how cheese is bought and transported, including the term “chill chain”
Understand the importance of offering an appropriate range of cheeses for a cheese board
4: Presentation
Select and use appropriate packaging, to wrap and re-wrap cheese
Be able to cut cheese using appropriate tools
Understand the importance of caring for, cutting and serving cheeses appropriate to the variety
5: Communicating
Understand the key descriptors of cheese, i.e. country of origin, species of milking animal, vegetarian/animal rennet, raw/pasteurised milk, MPM Model, protected status, age
Understand the principles of pairing cheese and drinks
6: Cheese Industry Knowledge
An overview of the history of cheesemaking
Understand the differences between large-scale and artisan production
Understand an overview of the nutritional value of cheese
7: Regulation and Good Practice
Demonstrates good hand-washing techniques
Understand how to handle cheese safely
Understand the difference between “use by” and “best before”
8: Tasting
Understand how to use the Academy of Cheese Level 1 Structured Approach to Tasting Model
Practical assessment of cheese using the model
9: Level One (Associate) – 25 Cheeses
At Level One you are required to study and taste 25 iconic cheeses. You will find details on each cheese in your delegates pack and in the online Cheese Library. Whether you attend an online or classroom course you will be expected to have tasted the 25 cheeses on the Level One list by the time of your assessment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Use the Structured Approach to Tasting Cheese (SATC) sheet to record your tasting note
Level One Exam
Whichever way you chose to study, you’ll need to take the online exam to become a certified Academy of Cheese Associate. It’s 30 questions in 30 minutes, you’ve got this!
Gallery
Gallery
Training Partner
Academy of Cheese
Not for profit organisation, all about cheese, the Academy accreditation programme leads from beginner to Master of Cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions delegates often ask about the Academy of Cheese Level One (Associate certification) self-study course
About
Why choose our self-study E-learning course?
Want to learn more about cheese? Then Level One is for you! Becoming an Associate of the Academy of Cheese is the first step to developing a greater understanding and appreciation of cheese.
The course will introduce you to the Academy’s own Structured Approach to Tasting and you will discover a range of tools to help you communicate more effectively about cheese. You’ll learn how cheese is made, how to assess quality, understand the provenance and range of cheese available. You’ll explore the main types and styles of cheese through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the skills to describe them, whilst studying (and hopefully tasting) 25 iconic cheeses, before you’re ready to sit your online exam and gain your first Academy of Cheese certification.
The Academy of Cheese study programme is online, accessible 24/7, giving you the flexibility to study when and where you want and around your existing commitments. Study on a PC, tablet or phone, from anywhere in the world at a time that suits you. You’ll receive 12 months access to the online Learning Road (your digital course book), and the option to join our online Guided Sessions. You study the content and take the online exam when it suits you. The course fee does not include cheese, offering the perfect excuse for a trip to the cheesemongers!
Why study Level One with the Academy of Cheese?
Anytime, anywhere
Study from anywhere in the world at a time that suits you with the Academy’s eLearning platform.
Learning road
12 Months access to our Level One (Associate Certification) Learning Road and level one exam.
Exclusive Delegate Resources
Downloadable digital delegate pack with informative visual guides to use alongside the Learning Road.
Cheese Library
12 Months Access To Our Academic Cheese Library (Over 450 Cheeses)
Online Guided Study Sessions
Self-study delegates are invited to attend a series of online Guided Sessions to help with their studies, enhance their learning journey and involve tasting and discussing a selection of Level One cheeses.
Instant Access
Start studying immediately!
Course Dates
Self Study | Level 1: Associate Certification
Choose a date and time
Associate Certification Self Study
- Anytime
- Online - Any Time
£149.00
Training Partner
Academy of Cheese
Not for profit organisation, all about cheese, the Academy accreditation programme leads from beginner to Master of Cheese.
Testimonials
What people are saying about our level one programme
Audience
Who's this course for
This course is open to everyone, whether you work in the cheese and associated industries, or if you just like to eat cheese. As a foundation level, it is perfect for individuals new to cheese study.
Cheese Lovers
Who just love cheese and want more pleasure from it
Cheese Mongers / Retailers
People working behind a cheese counter in farm shops and delis
Cheese Shop Owners
Managers and owners of cheese shops
Cheese Makers
People starting or progressing a career in cheesemaking
Food Writers
People involved in promoting cheese and speciality foods
Wholesalers & Distributors
Professionals who sell cheese through the cheese chain
Sommeliers
People who serve, sell and talk about wine
What You'll Learn On This Self Study Course
Take a look at what you’ll learn on our Level One (Associate Certification) Self Study Course.
1: Milk Production and Cheesemaking
How to describe the key ingredients used in cheesemaking and their purpose
Have an overview of the steps involved in cheesemaking and maturation
Understand the Academy of Cheese Make/Post-Make (MPM) Model
Understand how milk is produced
2: Maturing, Affinage and Grading
Recognise the condition of a soft mould-ripened cheese in terms of degree of ripeness
Understands cheese grading and its relevance
Understands the role of maturation and affinage in adding value to the product
Knows the different techniques to accelerate and decelerate ripening in soft mould-ripened cheese
3: Buying and Distribution
Understand how cheese is bought and transported, including the term “chill chain”
Understand the importance of offering an appropriate range of cheeses for a cheese board
4: Presentation
Select and use appropriate packaging, to wrap and re-wrap cheese
Be able to cut cheese using appropriate tools
Understand the importance of caring for, cutting and serving cheeses appropriate to the variety
5: Communicating
Understand the key descriptors of cheese, i.e. country of origin, species of milking animal, vegetarian/animal rennet, raw/pasteurised milk, MPM Model, protected status, age
Understand the principles of pairing cheese and drinks
6: Cheese Industry Knowledge
An overview of the history of cheesemaking
Understand the differences between large-scale and artisan production
Understand an overview of the nutritional value of cheese
7: Regulation and Good Practice
Demonstrates good hand-washing techniques
Understand how to handle cheese safely
Understand the difference between “use by” and “best before”
8: Tasting
Understand how to use the Academy of Cheese Level 1 Structured Approach to Tasting Model
Practical assessment of cheese using the model
9: Level One (Associate) – 25 Cheeses
At Level One you are required to study and taste 25 iconic cheeses. You will find details on each cheese in your delegates pack and in the online Cheese Library. Whether you attend an online or classroom course you will be expected to have tasted the 25 cheeses on the Level One list by the time of your assessment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Use the Structured Approach to Tasting Cheese (SATC) sheet to record your tasting note
Level One Exam
Whichever way you chose to study, you’ll need to take the online exam to become a certified Academy of Cheese Associate. It’s 30 questions in 30 minutes, you’ve got this!
Gallery
Gallery
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Reviews & Testimonials
Here’s what our learners have to say about the course:
well structured, and the right level of information
22/10/2024
I have just completed my level 1 course online. It was well structured, and the right level of information for a cheese lover like me. I learnt a lot, and thoroughly enjoyed tasting the 25 recommended cheeses.
I would throughly recommend this to anyone who loves cheese
Great course with lots of useful knowledge
13/10/2024
Great course with lots of useful knowledge! I’m very happy to have passed the level one course!
Fantastic course and comprehensive
26/09/2024
Fantastic course and comprehensive,,
I really enjoyed the course! It was worth the money.
23/09/2024
I really enjoyed the course! It was worth the money. It is very clear and written in an earnest and nonjudgmental way, which makes it a great course for beginners in the world of cheese.
the team were so Knowledgeable and Engaging
25/07/2024
The Course was fantastic- the team were so Knowledgeable and Engaging. Lots of interactivity and tasting with lots of aspects of Cheese covered. Would highly recommend!
Informative, engaging, entertaining
07/03/2024
Informative, engaging, entertaining – and tasty! I’m a “consumer” and it was perfect.
I decided to do this course as I wanted to gain a better appreciation for cheese gained by understanding more about it.
25/01/2024
I love cheese, but primarily eating it. I decided to do this course as I wanted to gain a better appreciation for cheese gained by understanding more about it.
The course has been very informative. The tasting aspects for me, even though I completed the course online, forced me to really bring together all of the other elements. It has made me think more about how to pair cheese, especially thinking about the location and the process by which it is made into account.
The course structure for me was perfect. Short sharp sessions with assessment checks just ensured I did not rush through the course without thinking.
Overall, this was a great introduction to the broader potential of cheese. With the rise of the Fromagier and a personal desire to produce this was an excellent time to do the course.
Simply amazing and very well structured
07/12/2023
Wow , Simply amazing and very well structured …
I have spent over 20 years in the cheese industry , over the years, I have made cheese , worked in retail , wholesale and importing and exporting , I have judged at various competition local and abroad. I thought I knew enough about the cheese world, but after speaking to Tracey when I started the course, it was absolutely amazing and just what i needed !! the structured way of the course and the layout of the modules has helped me put all my years experience in a more systematic way and helped me uderstand the cheese world lot better , looking forward to level 2 …
I do recomend anyone who loves cheese to do the course …
This course is very comprehensive. As a cheese educator looking to plug any gaps in my knowledge
23/09/2023
This course is very comprehensive. As a cheese educator looking to plug any gaps in my knowledge it was exceptionally good value for money and a good use of my time. The quizzes along the way were helpful and the tasting guide and wheel were easy to use. I would like a black and white large print version of the wheel as some of it was difficult to read with my eyesight.
Over all a great course I highly recommend. I would go on to further study but finding some of the cheeses needed for the later modules is impossible in the middle of nowhere, Canada – where I live.
As a Cheesemaker I found the information on coagulation particularly useful. I know that it happens but was missing the why. Thank you.
Tracey from Cheeseneeds.com
I highly recommend this course
23/09/2023
As a cheese enthusiast, I highly recommend this course to deepen understanding of cheese and the some of the science behind it. I thoroughly enjoyed the exploring (and tasting) more of the universe of cheeses – and gained some more favourites along the way. The cheese library and learning road are well put together and immensely helpful in developing a base of knowledge.
So if you enjoy cheese and learning, and would like to know more, I would recommend the course. It is a significant commitment, but self study (and a year to complete the course) means you have the flexibly to fit it in with other commitments and a busy life.
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