Cheddar: Beyond the Basics w/Tom Perry of Shelburne Farms

Our Cheese Basics classes are a great way to get an intro to the wonderful world of cheese, but we know some of you are looking to go deeper, especially when it comes to certain classic cheese varieties. That's why we're welcoming an experienced cheese professional and researcher all the way from Vermont to give us an opportunity to get even more nerdy about one of the most well-known cheeses: Cheddars!

In this BYOB tasting class, Tom Perry from Shelburne Farms will introduce us to the often under-appreciated world of cheddar. Tom, with his years of experience in the Cheese Industry and encyclopedic knowledge of all things cheddar, will guide us through the rich history of this beloved cheese, from its humble origins in England to its status as a staple in cheese platters and recipes around the world. Tom will delve into the fascinating science behind cheddar cheese making, explaining how everything from the diet of cows to the aging process affects the flavor and texture of the cheese. Participants will get hands-on experience, touching, smelling, and, most importantly, tasting a plate of cheddars of varying styles and origins.

As if this class wasn't already awesome enough, we'll be cheesin' for a good reason! A portion of the funds from each ticket sold will go to The Daphne Zepos Teaching Endowment, a memorial fund which supports research in the cheese industry and promotes cheese education. Curd nerds, you do NOT want to miss this one!

After class, participants will have access to the PCS Classroom Gift Shop, stocked with PCS merchandise and a rotating selection of cheese-themed gift items.

More About Tom Perry:

Tom Perry lives in Vermont and is the Sales Manager for Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont. Cheese has dominated his life since 2006, starting at the world famous Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge. In Providence, RI, at Farmstead (now closed), he acquired the bulk of his understanding and appreciation of cheese as their Senior Cheesemonger, Domestic Cheese Buyer and Lead Educator. Eventually, wanting to learn how to make cheese, he worked for a year to Cato Corner Farm in Connecticut, learning the highs and lows of operating a raw milk farmstead dairy. Upon moving to Chicago, Tom became Head of Cheese & Specialty Foods at a small grocery store chain in the Gold Coast neighborhood, building and expanding their artisan cheese selection. While there, he received the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award, which allowed him to travel to Europe to learn about native bacterial cultures used in cheesemaking.  As Shelburne Farms' Cheese Sales Manager, it’s Tom’s job to communicate with the vast array of folks that buy their cheese — from the person picking up a 1/2 lb of two-year cheddar from the Welcome Center to distributors that buy multiple 40 lb blocks to sell around the country.

More About The Daphne Zepos Teaching Endowment:

The DZTE started in 2012 as a memorial fund to celebrate the legacy of Daphne Zepos, an insightful and dynamic advocate for the cause of traditional cheese in the U.S. and around the world. The goal was to grow a squad of cheese professionals who teach about the history, culture, and techniques in making, aging, and selling cheese.

Each year two scholarship recipients go forth to learn about cheese. The scholarships fund expenses related to their research including, travel, living expenses, and more. The recipients will share their learning with industry peers at events like the annual American Cheese Society conference and beyond. The scholarships are funded by the Daphne Zepos Endowment, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Booking Info:

• All public classes are BYOB and open only to adults 21+. This class will take place at the PCS Classroom, click here for more info about the space.
• In order to receive a full refund, cancellations must be made 24 hours prior to the scheduled event time.
• This page will only show the amount of tickets which are still available for purchase. For example, if you are only able to buy 1 ticket then that means only one seat remains in class.
• If you are purchasing tickets for a group of 6 or more, please consider booking a private event with us instead.
• If you wish to purchase a ticket using a gift card please email julia@phillycheeseschool.com with the class you want to attend, the number of tickets needed and your gift card code number.