Mons Formation Rising Star Award

Celebrating emerging talent in cheese affinage. The Mons Formation Rising Star Award recognises one Affineur of the Year competitor showing exceptional promise.

Rachel
26/01/2026
1 month ago
No Comments

Award Overview

Introducing the Mons Formation Rising Star Award

In partnership with Mons Formation, the Academy of Cheese is proud to introduce the Mons Formation Rising Star Award – a prestigious new accolade recognising one exceptional Affineur of the Year competitor who demonstrates outstanding potential and understanding in the art of cheese affinage.

This annual award celebrates the competitor who demonstrates genuine insight into the principles and techniques of affinage, regardless of whether their entry achieves top honours in its category. It’s about recognising the journey, the learning, and the promise of future excellence.

What makes a Rising Star?

The Rising Star Award identifies the affineur who shows:

Deep understanding of core affinage principles (air, humidity, temperature, environment)
Thoughtful application of techniques specific to their chosen cheese category
Innovative thinking in their approach to maturation and care
Clear documentation and communication of their affinage journey
Potential for excellence in future competitions and professional practice

This is not about perfection – it’s about promise, understanding, and the foundation for mastery.

The Prize: A Week in the Heart of French Affinage

Mons Cheese Retail Training – Affinage Course

Location: Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, France
Duration: One week (5 days of training, 40 hours)
Value: €2,800 (includes lodging, breakfasts, lunches, and ground transportation)

The winner will join cheese experts Emma Young and Laurent Mons at the legendary Mons Fromager Affineur Caves, Tunnel & classroom for an immersive week of learning.

What You’ll Experience:

Principles of Affinage

Core principles of cheese ripening
Key environmental parameters
Economics and purpose of affinage
Suitable ripening environments

Microorganisms

Roles of bacteria, yeasts, and moulds
Evolution and management of cultures
Conditions that favour or inhibit growth

Tools & Techniques

Theoretical and practical knowledge of affinage tools
Manual handling techniques
Care methods including morging
The importance of wood in affinage

Hands-On Experience

Two half-days working with the Mons Affinage team
Practicing ripening techniques in working caves
Assessing and sorting incoming cheeses
Determining ideal ripening processes

Sensory Analysis

Daily sensory analysis sessions
Vertical tastings to identify differences
Flavour and texture evaluation
Communication skills for customer engagement

The Judging Panel

One Rising Star will be selected by an expert panel bringing together traditional French affinage mastery and British cheese innovation:

Laurent Mons

Programme founder and Director of Mons Formation. Laurent developed the curriculum for both Mons Formation and the French National Centre de Formation des Products Laitiers. As owner of 3 Mons shops and trainer for major retailers, his experience bridges artisan tradition with commercial excellence.

Susan Sturman

Sue developed the English-language programs at Mons Formation in partnership with Laurent Mons. She is an international cheese judge and translator for Profession Fromager. Her extensive international experience with rising cheese professionals makes her uniquely qualified to identify emerging talent.

Perry James Wakeman

Three-time Affineur of the Year winner (2022, 2023, 2024) and CEO of Rennet & Rind. Perry’s recent dominance in the competition demonstrates both mastery and the ability to innovate within traditional frameworks.

Emma Young

Mons Formation course trainer, anglophone, author, and cheese consultant known as ‘The Cheese Explorer’. Based in the UK, Emma trains businesses globally and brings practical retail expertise paired with technical knowledge.

Entry Requirements

The Rising Star Award is automatically included for all Affineur of the Year 2026 competitors. No separate entry is required. However, the award is designed to nurture emerging talent and provide transformative educational opportunities to those who will benefit most. As such, competitors who have previously attended the Mons Formation Affinage course are not eligible for the Rising Star Award, allowing us to extend this valuable opportunity to new learners.

All competitors should:

Submit their Statement of Intent for their chosen cheese category
Maintain detailed grading records throughout maturation
Document environmental conditions and techniques applied
Be prepared to discuss their affinage journey with judges

Why This Award Matters

The cheese industry needs new talent who understand not just how to sell cheese, but how to care for it, mature it, and unlock its full potential. Many of today’s leading affineurs started as curious learners who showed promise before achieving mastery.

The Mons Formation Rising Star Award:

Encourages learning and experimentation without fear of “failure”
Recognizes understanding over perfection
Invests in potential through world-class training
Builds bridges between UK and French affinage traditions
Creates opportunity for one deserving competitor at the beginning of their affinage journey

Promotion & Recognition

The Rising Star winner will receive:

Full week Mons Formation course scholarship
Announcement at the Affineur of the Year Finals
Feature in Academy of Cheese communications
Social media recognition and profile piece

Timeline

Competition Launch: July 2025
Cheese Distribution: July 2025 – April 2026 (varies by category)
Maturation Period: As per standard duration for each cheese type
Finals Day & Rising Star Announcement: 16^th June 2026, London at Affineur of the Year
Course Dates: To be arranged with winner (2026-2027)

About Mons Formation

Founded by Laurent Mons, Mons Formation represents the pinnacle of French affinage education. Located at the working Mons Fromager-Affineur headquarters in Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, the facility features: