This week's show is a collaboration between Cutting the Curd and The Farm Report. Elena is in the studio fellow HRN host and producer, Lisa Held, interviewing farmer and cheesemaker Celeste Nolan . Celeste and her husband purchased their family dairy farm 15 years ago. Struggles with sustaining the business on fluid milk production alone led them to add cheesemaking to the mix. Soon to be featured on Farmsteaders , an episode of PBS's POV series, Celeste and her family give an honest portrait of...
Aug 05, 2019•41 min•Ep. 390
Charles Duque is the Managing Director for North America for the French Dairy Board . He travels all throughout the continent, promoting French cheese from Central America to Canada. On today's show, Elena chats with Charles in studio about how his promotional efforts are received in the different countries he focuses on, and the state of cheese enthusiasm throughout this vast region. It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to h...
Jul 30, 2019•38 min•Ep. 389
On today's show, Elena interviews cheesemaker/creamery worker and photographer at the Cellars at Jasper Hill, Lilith Spencer. Lilith's cheese career started in college. Lilith began mongering at some of the best retail counters in NYC, hit Instagram fame for her artistic cheese board creations, and has landed in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Elena and Lilith chat about how to navigate opportunities and interests in the cheese world while also trying to pay the bills. It's HRN's annual summer fund...
Jul 22, 2019•54 min•Ep. 388
On a continued Italian kick, Diane interviews author and food tour operator Elizabeth Minchilli about her new cookbook, The Italian Table. It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we ha...
Jul 15, 2019•34 min•Ep. 387
Pairing wine and cheese is so classic, it's become a cliche. Craft beer has enjoyed an upswell of interest lately, and with that it's also been the focus of a lot of pairing opinions. But one of our favorite pairing partners - cider - hasn't gotten its proper due. Today, Jeff Russell - cider fanatic and sales director for Vermont's Eden Cider - joins us to talk about the state of the cider nation, tips for pairing, and how cheese and cider might not be such strange bedfellows. It's HRN's annual ...
Jul 08, 2019•41 min•Ep. 386
Elena taped today's episode at the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Booth at the Summer Fancy Food Show . Today's episode features shorter interviews with ten different cheesemakers, all from Wisconsin and all making unique products! From the science behind cheese spread texture to the benefits of using a bio digester, these mini-interviews are full of interesting details and endearing Wisconsin accents. It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a...
Jul 01, 2019•41 min•Ep. 385
The Summer Fancy Food Show is happening this week in New York City and that means cheesemakers and specialty food producers are in town in a big way. Our guests today are in town from Italy: Bruno Gritti of Quattro Portoni and Paola Calciolari of Le Tamerici chat with Elena about their products and what's ahead for them during their trip to the states. It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for fo...
Jun 24, 2019•49 min•Ep. 384
In our third Cheesemaking Elements episode of the year, Elena visits Crown Finish Caves, Brooklyn-based Affineur, to focus on the final steps in the cheesemaking process: maturing, packaging and distributing the cheese. Elena chats with Crown Finish Cave Manager Ethan Partyka and Sales Director Caroline Hesse. It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the mos...
Jun 18, 2019•39 min•Ep. 383
On today's show Diane interviews writer Natalie Danford . Natalie was the translator for Slow Food 's Osteria: 1,000 Generous and Simple Recipes from Italy's Best Local Restaurants. It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member toda...
Jun 10, 2019•44 min•Ep. 382
Our guest today is Amy Thompson , owner and operator of Full Shelf Foods . Amy's path to business ownership was mostly rooted in retail work. We'll hear about how she's bringing a cheesemonger's perspective to brokerage space. Also, what exactly is a brokerage-type business? Cutting The Curd is powered by Simplecast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jun 03, 2019•37 min•Ep. 381
Jessica Kesselman joins Elena in studio to discuss working in cheese alongside her journey as a parent. How well does the cheese industry support parents, and what are the challenges specific to parents that come up when working in cheese? Elena and Jessica explore the answers to these questions and more on today's episode! Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
May 20, 2019•40 min•Ep. 380
Will Studd is perhaps best known for his cheese-focused television show, Cheese Slices . Now in its eighth season and with sixty-four episodes under his belt, Will Joins Elena on air to talk about all that goes into the show. We'll also hear about his newest adventure, Will Studd's Cheese Range, a curated selection of cheeses offered to the US and Australian markets. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...
May 13, 2019•42 min•Ep. 379
This month Diane interviews freelance writer and former New Yorker editor Emily Rees Nunn about her food-focused memoir, Comfort Food Diaries. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
May 06, 2019•38 min•Ep. 378
Elena, Diane and Aaron are at it again with our second end-of-season host show. Following the runaway 'morning talk show' style success of last season's host show, Elena has some thought-provoking cheese-related prompts for the group, Diane tries to thwart her efforts and Aaron tries his best to answer while aghast at what's happening in the studio. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privac...
Apr 15, 2019•49 min•Ep. 377
Cara Warren has worked in cheese since 2005 and is currently the East Coast Sales Manager for Isigny Sainte Mere . Cara's pairings wow'ed the room at The Cheeses of Europe Interactive Beer & Fromage Event last week, and on the same day Vice Munchies featured her along with a small group of lesbian and non-binary cheese professionals . Elena chats with Cara in studio on the heels of both! Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californi...
Apr 08, 2019•42 min•Ep. 376
Janet Fletcher chats with Diane about her latest book, Wine Country Table. A Napa Valley resident and long-time food writer, Janet's Planet Cheese is an industry favorite newsletter. Cutting The Curd is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Apr 01, 2019•40 min•Ep. 375
We caught up with Rachel Smith, General Manager at Goed Zuur, in the midst of a cheese-inspired road trip. Two years after opening Denver's first sour beer tap room, Goed Zuur is en route to pick up their first cheesemaker collaboration: Acid Wash, made by Parish Hill (washed with––you guessed it: sour beer!). Elena and Rachel chat about this first cheese collaboration project, the joys of growing a passion-fueled business and the excitement it all entails. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplec...
Mar 25, 2019•43 min•Ep. 374
Ivy Ronquillo is about to join the frazzled ranks of cheese shop owners with her new emporium Second Mouse Cheese in Pleasantville, NY. While Ivy has extensive experience in the advertising industry, as well as a culinary degree from FCI and years working in specialty food for the likes of Murray's and Artisanal, opening a shop presents an entirely new set of challenges. We join Ivy on the precipice of this new adventure to find out how she's faring and what's keeping her up at night. This will ...
Mar 18, 2019•43 min•Ep. 373
What do you do when your plans turn to ash––literally?! Inga Witscher, host of PBS's Around the Farm Table , chats with Elena about the unique moment she and her husband find themselves in. Just as they were on the cusp of building out a brand new cheesemaking room, their barn and facilities burned down last fall. Now, rebuilding is the new plan. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#d...
Mar 11, 2019•40 min•Ep. 372
In our second episode of the 2019 Cheesemaking Elements series Elena dives deep into the world of cheese cultures. Culture expert Robert Aguilera explains how culture houses work and why we're starting to see monoculture creep when it comes to starters and adjunct cultures used in cheesemaking. Plus, how the culture supply chain business is changing within the growing cheese industry. Check out the Cheese Science Toolkit Robert mentions at the end of the episode! Cutting the Curd is powered by S...
Mar 04, 2019•39 min•Ep. 371
Diane welcomes Steve Jones of Portland's Cheese Bar and writer Adam Lindsley––co-authors of Cheese Beer Wine Cider: A Field Guide to 75 Perfect Pairings ––to the show this week. Listen as Diane gets to geek out on two of her favorite things: cheese and beer! Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Feb 25, 2019•41 min•Ep. 370
This will be seven years since the DZTA was founded in 2012. The organization has grown its squad of cheese teachers, just released a newly defined vision for the organization and has a revamped membership on their Board of Directors. Rachel Juhl, Chief Administrator of the Endowment, chats with Elena about how the organization has grown and what's in store for Award winners of the future. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California P...
Feb 18, 2019•40 min•Ep. 369
Founded in 1940, Murray's Cheese remains a New York City institution. Over the past ten years they've taken their cheese show on the road, and 430 stores later they have made their mark within their Kroger 'Cheese Shops' all around the country. Elena talks with Lauren Toth, Project Manager, Training & Curriculum at Murray’s Cheese about how the Kroger program became such a huge endeavor, and how it all works. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com...
Feb 11, 2019•45 min•Ep. 368
Our 2019 Cheesemaking Elements series kicks off with...milk! Sheep’s milk, at that, in all its luscious glory. Elena interviews Mariana Marques de Almeida, sheep and goat specialist on everything from milk production to cheesemaking . Check out the Dairy Sheep Association for more resources! Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Feb 04, 2019•45 min•Ep. 367
On this month's book review Diane Stemple interviews Mike Edison , fellow Heritage Radio Network host (Arts & Seizures) about his latest memoir, You Are a Complete Disappointment, A Triumphant Memoir of Failed Expectations. With the title pulled from real life––it was one of the last things the author’s father said to him before dying––there's a lot to get into here! Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h...
Jan 28, 2019•47 min•Ep. 366
Cheese-focused culinary specialist, Rachel Freier, joins Elena in studio. Rachel’s experience working with chefs and culinary students reveals that, unlike truffles or prime cuts of meat, specialty cheese is woefully misunderstood by back-of-house staff. Undaunted by the learning curve, Rachel is committed to changing how cheese is thought of—and handled—in the restaurant kitchen. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...
Jan 21, 2019•37 min•Ep. 365
On today's show Elena looks at a facet of the cheese business that's tangential to the supply chain: cheese tourism. Anna Juhl, Founder and CEO of Cheese Journeys and Sylvain Jamois, Private Chef and Cooking Instructor, join Elena in studio to chat about their growing cheese-focused travel business, Cheese Journeys . Cutting The Curd is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jan 14, 2019•34 min•Ep. 364
Elena, Diane and Aaron all gather in-studio as an end-cap to our fall season and 2018! This episode features reflections on the cheese industry this year, host-picks for 2018 Cutting the Curd season highlights, lowbrow confessions and a spirited debate on what cheeses should be represented if Mt. Rushmore featured cheese instead of American Presidents. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pr...
Dec 17, 2018•40 min•Ep. 363
Marieke Penterman is no newcomer to the American artisanal cheesemaking scene––or to this podcast! On today's show Elena and Marieke chat about the joys of a well-aged business and how Marieke got to where she is today. As mentioned in the episode, here's a link to the new Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin commercial featuring Marieke and her cheesemaking neighbors. Cutting the Curd is powered by Simplecast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.c...
Dec 10, 2018•44 min•Ep. 362
Following up on our Supply Chain 101 show with Aaron and Glenn, on the first half of this week’s show Elena goes in-depth with Brie Hurd of The Cheese Shop of Salem on her simple [and brilliant] approach to placing pre-orders as a retail buyer. In the second half of the show Brie pulls back the curtain on some of the systems and philosophies behind her highly functioning retail operations. Can a catering form embody an entire retailer's philosophy? At The Cheese Shop of Salem...yes! Cutting the ...
Nov 26, 2018•47 min•Ep. 361
