Meet Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming · Founder of George & Joseph
Cheesemonger, cheese judge, speaker and certified Academy of Cheese trainer. Based in Leeds, Stephen helps people discover good cheese and feel more confident choosing, tasting and talking about it.
From IT to a life in cheese
Before George & Joseph, Stephen worked as an IT director. A lifelong love of cheese, and a growing interest in Yorkshire’s food producers after moving to Leeds in 2001, eventually became something more than a hobby.
He started George & Joseph in 2012, trading at fairs and farmers’ markets before opening the first shop in Chapel Allerton in 2013. The business moved to its current home on Harrogate Road in 2017.
Meeting cheesemakers has been central to that journey: following recommendations, discovering cheeses and getting to know the people behind them. Today, Stephen brings that experience to the counter, the classroom, the judging table and audiences keen to learn more.
At the judging table
Stephen’s judging experience includes:
- Great Taste — judge in 2025 and 2026.
- Virtual Cheese Awards — cheese judge. View the judging panel →
- Artisan Cheese Awards — cheese judge.
- Great Yorkshire Show — cheese judge.
Judging is an opportunity to taste carefully, consider flavour and texture, and recognise the work that goes into making exceptional cheese. That attention to detail also informs Stephen’s teaching and the conversations he has with customers.
Making cheese knowledge accessible
Stephen is a certified Academy of Cheese trainer, and George & Joseph is an accredited Academy of Cheese Training Partner.
Through G&J Cheese School, he teaches the Academy’s Level One Associate course, helping cheese lovers and people working in food develop their understanding of how cheese is made, tasted, cared for and served.
His approach is practical and welcoming: plenty to taste, room for questions, and useful knowledge you can take back to your own cheeseboard or cheese counter.
Explore G&J Cheese School →
View our Academy of Cheese profile →
Talks, tastings and events
Stephen hosts cheese tastings and talks for groups ranging from a few friends to corporate events with 200 guests. Sessions can introduce British artisan cheese, explore Yorkshire favourites, or help guests discover how cheese and drinks work together.
He also takes part in industry discussions. In June 2026, he joined Paul Heasman of Rowcliffe for the Champions Cheese Pairing Panel at the Virtual Cheese Awards live final.
Explore private and corporate tastings →
See the 2026 Virtual Cheese Awards programme →
On screen and in print
Stephen has appeared on Channel 5’s Winter on the Farm and shares his experience through interviews and contributions to food and retail publications.
- The Grocer: featured in The retailers spreading the word about artisanal cheese, discussing George & Joseph and championing artisan producers.
- Speciality Food: contributed advice to Things I wish I’d known when I was a new cheesemonger, including the value of getting out to meet cheesemakers.
- The Yorkshire Press: shared practical advice in How to serve cheese like a pro.
- Peter’s Yard: interviewed for Speciality Spotlight with George & Joseph, on starting the business and his enthusiasm for artisan food.
Work with Stephen
For speaking engagements, private or corporate tastings, cheese education, judging invitations or media enquiries, get in touch with the George & Joseph team.
Tell us what you have in mind, who it’s for and any dates or deadlines. For press and broadcast enquiries, please include the publication or programme and the subject you’d like to discuss.
Enquire about working with Stephen
Email cheese@georgeandjoseph.co.uk
Call 0113 345 0203