MADISON, Wis.-The Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker® program celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year with the announcement of its newest graduate, Richard Glick, a veteran cheesemaker at Swiss Valley Farms' Mindoro, Wis., plant. Glick has earned Masters certification in Blue and Gorgonzola cheese varieties. A graduation ceremony was held April 22 during the International Cheese Technology Exposition at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
In addition to Glick, Scott Erickson of Bass Lake Cheese in Somerset, Wis., returns as a program graduate for the third time this year, earning Masters certification for Chévre. This makes Erickson the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker with the most certifications. He was previously certified as a Master for Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack and Muenster cheeses.
Designed to build and reinforce the quality standards that are synonymous with Wisconsin Cheese and the state's rich cheesemaking heritage, the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker® program was established in 1994, by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research and the University of Wisconsin Extension.