New school a slice of cheese heaven

LONG Paddock Cheese in Castlemaine is opening a new school that all cheese lovers will want to attend, with a two-day advanced class coming soon.

The lessons will be a condensed version of the full-length class that founder and head cheesemaker Ivan Larcher teaches to professional cheesemakers wanting to perfect their craft.

Long Paddock Cheese general manager Gaetan Chapon said the idea was born after listening to the people at fairs and farmers markets.

“We saw that there was a high range of interest in what we were doing,” he said.

“So, about three or four months ago we decided to do the class that Ivan does, but for two days instead of five.”

Mr Chapon said the short course will be fun but also a meaningful involved class, unlike some other offerings that can offer just afternoon sessions.

“We are talking about long age cheese, big maturation, proper French style cheeses,” he said.

“People will get their hands dirty. They will get to play with starters, rennet, coagulants and a lot of instruments will be used like PH readers.”

Senior cheesemaker Judy Gilford is moving into the role of school coordinator and guiding the course participants, with the aim of making sure they have cheese to take home at the end of the two days.

“They will be given a kit to look after the cheese and instruction on how to age them,” Mr Chapon said.

“Some of the cheeses they will be making won’t be ready for one or two months. They will have to wash its rind and turn it and salt it.”

Mr Chapon said classes will be available for the public by April.

“The first class is going to be held in March with some deserving customers, in a bit of a trial to make sure that everything runs smoothly,” he said.

“The first official class available for purchase is the first weekend of April and from then it will be held either the first or second weekend of every month.

“There will be between eight and 10 spots available at a time.”