Academy of Cheese Level 1: Associate (Classroom) - Tuesday 11th November 2025

Do you like cheese but want to know more about where it comes from, how it’s made, how to look after it, and how to put together amazing cheeseboards?

This is where you get to learn more.  Come to our classroom-based course at our shop in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.  The courses run between 10:00 and 16:00, you'll be led through the course by Stephen Fleming, the owner of George & Joseph. 

Stephen brings a wealth of cheese knowledge and an unrivalled passion for cheese following over ten years of working in the cheese industry first with his local market stall, then setting up the bricks & mortar shop in Chapel Allerton in 2013.

Here's what he has to say about the course:

"When I started my cheesemongers business over a decade ago I knew very little about cheese myself - my previous career was in IT - but I knew that I loved it and I wanted to learn more.  I visited cheese makers, other cheesemongers, and read lots about cheese.  I gradually built up a lot of knowledge as time went on.

I love sharing my knowledge with my customers, so when the Academy of Cheese was created, I decided to become one of their certified trainers."

The Level One (Associate) course is aimed at anyone who enjoys cheese - there are no prerequisites to taking part.  It’s lots of fun, and there’s lots of cheese to try.  

Stephen will share lots of his knowledge with you about:

• The history of cheese, and what the future holds
• The different styles and types of cheese, how they are made and sold
• How to taste and appreciate different cheeses
• How to put together an amazing cheeseboard to impress your friends and family, as well as tips on pairing drinks with cheese

We’ll taste through 12 different cheeses so you’ll get lots of practice in identifying what makes a cheese great.  

You'll receive a printed training pack, and we'll provide refreshments throughout the day.

At the end of the course you get to take a 30-minute, multiple choice online exam.  When you pass you’ll get a certificate and a highly coveted pin badge to show off your cheese expertise!

If you want to take your cheese education further you can continue to study Level Two, and Levels Three and Four are in the pipeline to help you become a Master of Cheese!