Associate Certification Self Study

Name: Associate Certification Self Study
SKU: 7463
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (53 reviews)

Study from anywhere in the world at a time that suits you with the Academy’s eLearning platform.

(53 customer reviews)

£149.00

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What you'll learn

What you'll learn on this 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 of 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

Understands 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
Understands 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

Understands 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 notes.

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!

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What you get

Enrol now and get Instant Access to your Level One Learning Road

12 months access to our Learning Road and exam.

You have 12 months access to the Learning Road and to take the exam.

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Free resources

Exclusive Delegate Resources

Each delegate can download a digital delegate pack with informative visual guides to use alongside the Learning Road. These include the cheese matrix, the simple & complex flavour trees, the classification guide, the step-by-step tasting sheets and the full colour Level One 25 cheeses book.

A printed version of the delegate pack is also available to purchase.

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Cheese 101: Cheese Regulation & Good Practice

Cheese 101: Cheese Buying & Distribution

Cheese 101: Milk Production & Cheesemaking

12 months access to our Academic Cheese Library (over 175 cheeses)

Delegates can access our ever-growing Cheese Library which clearly and accurately catalogues cheese in a user-friendly way. It is a valuable research tool for studying at home, for inspiration ahead of a trip to the cheesemonger and for retailers swotting up on their range or looking to add something new.

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Free guided workshops

Access to 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. Guided Sessions are optional and free to join; they are live, online group sessions, run by an expert tutor and last between 30 minutes to an hour.

They are small in size, designed to encourage interaction and discussion between the tutor and delegates.

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Who should become an Academy Of Cheese Associate?

Retail professionals

Distributors

Food Writers

Cheesemongers

Chef’s & Restaurateurs

Fanatical foodies

Cheesemakers

Sommeliers

Cheese Judges

You are not alone

The purpose of Academy of Cheese is simple, to provide cheese education in support of the industry and those that work within it.

Delegates enrolled

5700

Countries

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course too advanced for me?

Absolutely not! The Level One course is the place to start your cheese education, whether you work in the industry or simply love cheese. We start with the basics and expand your knowledge, giving you a new appreciation for cheese and its industry.

Are there any entry requirements for this course?

No, not one entry requirement! The Level One is open to all and its the place to start your cheese education.

What if I am not in the UK?

No problem. You can study online with the self guided eLearning platform from anywhere in the world - at anytime that suits you .

What is the difference between Self Study, Virtual and Classroom courses?

The virtual classroom courses are taught live by a Training Partner across Zoom or a similar alternative platform. You will still receive access to the online Learning Road (think of this as your digital course book) to swot up on your knowledge and take the exam.

The self study eLearning option uses only the online Learning Road to take you through the course materials, there is no tutoring from a Training Partner. It is 100% self guided online study.

Regardless of which teaching method you choose, you are studying the same certification and will take the same online exam.

Can I order the 25 cheeses needed to taste at Level One?

Yes, You can purchase a cheese tasting box as part of their studies Click here to order a Level One Tasting Box

4.9

4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 53 reviews)

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26/09/2024

Fantastic course and comprehensive,,

Yousef Kattan (verified owner)

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.

Anna Ronewicz (verified owner)

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!

Pippa Masters

07/03/2024

Informative, engaging, entertaining – and tasty! I’m a “consumer” and it was perfect.

Philip Johnston

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.

Adrian Howells (verified owner)

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 …

Tanny Gill

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

Tracey (verified owner)