Monger Musings 017
Cheering for women in cheese and finding joy in reading Substacks
Good day to you, cheese friends! Today’s Monger Musings are brought to you with a whole lot of excitement and admiration for women in the world of cheese. As I reflect back on last month’s Cheesemonger Invitational Masters competition and the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest, I’m pleased to see the spotlight on the incredible female cheesemongers and cheesemakers whose passion and craftsmanship deserve center stage. So, let’s dive into what’s happening in the world of cheese and honor the women shaping the flavors we love! 🌟
🧀 Ok ready for a glimpse into the wild world of cheese competitions? You’ve heard me extoll the virtues of the Cheesemonger Invitational (CMI), the annual event that brings together the best cheesemongers in the country. Yes, yes there is a competition that showcases technical skills, knowledge, and salesmanship. But the real value lies in the educational workshops led by cheesemakers and industry pros. I participated in CMI in 2022 and 2023 and it boosted my professional development and my cheese network like nothing else could! Well, the top finishers of CMI are invited to participate in CMI Masters, a competition among the best-of-the-best. The winners of CMI Masters will be on Team USA and represent us at Mondial du Fromage, the World Cheese and Dairy Products Trade Fair, which features the “World’s Best Cheesemonger Competition”. CMI Masters happened last week and I’m so so very happy that the USA will be represented by two badass women in cheese, Emilia D’Albero and Courtney C. Johnson. I’m in awe of these super talented ladies!
🧀 In other cheesy competition news, the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest also happened last week. It’s wonderful to see so many New England cheesemakers getting top honors across many categories! How cool would it be to judge this competition some day? I’m putting it out there into the universe!
🧀 Speaking of New England cheese, I facilitated a talk at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum titled “New England Cheese, A Tasting Journey”. I got a lot of satisfaction putting this event together and I hope to do more cheese-centric events for the community!
🧀 Two posts on Instagram caught my eye these past few weeks. Both posts highlight the contributions of the “crazy goat ladies of the 80s” and how they spurred the American artisan cheese revolution. Thanks to @cheezypeeps and @saxelbycheese for championing these goaty gals. (Instagram)
🧀 Speaking of Instagram… that app is just feeling a little weird to me these days. Anyone else? I’m finding a lot of joy in reading Substacks recently and I’m trying to figure out how I want to continue showing up on Instagram. I love looking back on my “Baby-Led Cheesing” videos and I’m probably due for another one of those.
Cheering for amazing women in cheese and reading Substacks is a real bright light for me these days, so I’m going to keep on cheering and reading. Ok, that’s all for now friends! Keep finding the light.
I’m still navigating how I’m going to continue showing up on Substack, but if you’re interested in the intersection of cheese, food, social justice, sustainability, personal development, parenthood, and Martha’s Vineyard, let’s hang out here?
