The Craft & Art of Making Cheese at Home!

There are many reasons you may want to learn to make your own cheese at home, and likely a few that are preventing you from actually doing it! Top of that list is the presumption that making cheese is really difficult – the culinary equivalent of building your own house - something that it’s definitely best left to the experts.

But what if you actually had an expert to teach you how to do it?

That’s exactly what will happen at the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory this month when Artisan Cheesemaker David Bower kicks off a new series of cheesemaking classes: “The Art & Craft of Making Cheese at Home.”

There’s no doubt that speciality cheesemaking is fast becoming a forgotten craft and master-cheesemakers are few and far between. But with the guidance of an expert, you will marvel at how easy it is to make cheese at home. Get ready to wow your friends and family at your next get-together by serving up a cheese that you’ve made yourself.

Throughout the four-hour classes, David will give participants a sound knowledge of the science and chemistry behind successful cheesemaking then build on the fundamentals to allow workshop participants to go on to discover the full world of small production cheesemaking. Each 2.5-hour workshop will cover the craft of cheesemaking. Participants will embark on the cheesemaking process, listening and learning as they progress. Questions are encouraged (we all learn this way) and floor attendants will be present to watch your progress and assist if necessary.

Participants will learn about the origins of cheese, cheese ingredients, ripening principles, milk quality, cheesemaking, storing, ageing and food and wine matching. All recipes and your cheesy creations will be available to take home to enjoy with family and friends.

Workshops will be held on Sunday afternoons (1.30pm – 4pm) – 31 March, 30 June, 29 September and 8 December, with private classes of 10 or more people by arrangement. Contact the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory on (02) 4998 7744 to book your spot – but don’t delay – places are limited!