Academy of Cheese

What Academy of Cheese does

Academy of Cheese is a UK-based not-for-profit organisation founded in 2016, dedicated to standardised cheese education and industry promotion. It delivers a tiered certification pathway — Level 1 (Associate, £149 self-study), Level 2 (Member, £440 self-study), Level 3 (Fellow, modular), and Master of Cheese — alongside a curated Cheese Library of 300–400+ professionally verified cheeses, on-demand Cheese TV content, and the Friends of the Academy subscription. The core technical platform is the Learning Road eLearning system, which combines structured content modules, knowledge checks, online examinations, and proprietary frameworks: the Make/Post-Make (MPM) classification model and the Structured Approach to Tasting Cheese (SATC) methodology.

The organisation operates a hybrid go-to-market: direct-to-individual eLearning sales globally, complemented by a network of 40+ accredited Training Partners delivering in-person and live-virtual classroom courses across 30 countries in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. Course content is delivered in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Simplified Chinese. Revenue streams include self-study course fees, Level 3 module sales, exam retake fees, cheese tasting boxes (£25–£50), gift vouchers, Friends of the Academy 12-month subscriptions, and revenue share from Training Partners.

The Academy serves five primary customer personas — cheese industry professionals (cheesemongers, cheesemakers, buyers), hospitality professionals (chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs), food writers and journalists, cheese competition judges, and cheese enthusiasts — and operates flagship annual competitions (Affineur of the Year with Quicke's since 2022; Young Cheesemonger of the Year at the World Cheese Awards) plus the Chiswick Cheese Market Cheesemakers Grant. Its course hours are formally recognised by the American Cheese Society toward CCP certification. With only 9 employees, the Academy runs an asset-light, partner-delivered model funded by course fees, sponsorship from flagship patrons (Quicke's, Le Gruyère, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Savencia, Guild of Fine Food), and training partner revenue share.

Name

Academy of Cheese

Legal name

Academy of Cheese

Website

https://academyofcheese.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Academy of Cheese is a UK not-for-profit providing tiered cheese education certifications (Level 1 to Master of Cheese) through a proprietary eLearning platform and 40+ global Training Partners, serving cheesemongers, hospitality professionals, and cheese enthusiasts across 30 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Cheese Education and Certification

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Safety, Sanitation & HACCP Training (EDAOAKAG), Supply Chain, Logistics & Procurement Certifications (EDAAANAK)

Keywords

• Cheese education
• Professional certification
• ELearning platform
• Food industry training
• Culinary credentials

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Self-Study eLearning Courses: Online certification courses sold directly to individuals, providing 12 months access to Learning Road content and online examinations. Level 1 priced at £149, Level 2 at £440.
2. Module Sales: Level 3 modules sold individually, allowing delegates to purchase and study specific cheese-related subjects on a module-by-module basis.
3. Examination Fees: Revenue from exam attempts and retakes. Retake fees: £15 (Level 1), £50 (Level 2), £10 (Level 3).
4. Merchandise and Products: Sale of cheese tasting boxes (Level 1: £25, Level 2: £50), delegate packs, and gift vouchers for courses.
5. Training Partner Revenue Share: Revenue generated through network of Training Partners who deliver courses and pay fees or share revenue for Academy certifications.
6. Delegate Perks and Subscriptions: Friends of the Academy subscription offering 12-month access to Cheese Library, discounts, exclusive events, and masterclasses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Academy of Cheese delivers a tiered cheese education and certification programme spanning four levels (Level 1 Associate through Master of Cheese), offered via self-study eLearning, live virtual courses, and in-person classroom courses delivered through a global network of accredited Training Partners. The curriculum is built around proprietary frameworks (Make/Post-Make classification and Structured Approach to Tasting Cheese), a professionally verified Cheese Library database, online examinations, and alignment with the American Cheese Society's Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) credential.

Product overview

Academy of Cheese is a not-for-profit organization providing industry-recognized cheese education through a tiered certification program. The core offering consists of four progressive levels: Level One (Associate) at £149 provides entry-level certification with 9 modules and 25 cheeses via self-study eLearning; Level Two (Member) at £440 builds on this with 9 sessions, 100 cheeses, and advanced topics; Level Three (Fellow) is modular with 4 core and 8 supplementary modules requiring ~100 hours of study plus 50 hours for Cheese Library; and Master of Cheese represents the pinnacle with portfolio, research paper, and tasting assessments. Supporting products include the Cheese Library (400+ cheeses), Cheese TV (on-demand videos), Guided Study Sessions, and digital Delegate Resources. Additional revenue streams include gift vouchers, cheese tasting boxes (£25-50), Friends of the Academy subscription, and Training Partner courses. Awards programs include Affineur of the Year (2019) and Young Cheesemonger of the Year. The Academy also supports CCP certification through the American Cheese Society and operates globally through 40+ Training Partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Level One (Associate) Self Study eLearning Program Entry-level cheese certification delivered as self-paced eLearning across 9 modules and 25 iconic cheeses, with 12 months access to the Learning Road course book and a 30-question online exam (pass mark 24/30). Available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Simplified Chinese. Pricing: £149.
• Level One (Associate) Virtual Course Live webinar-based Level One certification course led by an Academy Training Partner, with optional home cheese delivery and small group study from anywhere in the world.
• Level One (Associate) Classroom Course In-person Level One certification hosted by accredited Training Partners, including cheese tasting and access to the online Learning Road and exam. Course fees include cheese for tasting.
• Level Two (Member) Self Study eLearning Program Intermediate certification delivered via self-paced eLearning with 12 months access covering 9 sessions, 100 cheeses, and advanced topics including ingredient roles, milk composition, cheesemaking techniques, business metrics, and HACCP principles. Exam: 40 questions (mixed format), 40 minutes. Pricing: £440.
• Level Two (Member) Virtual and Classroom Courses Tutored Level Two certification available via live webinar or in-person classroom delivery, including a cheesemaker visit requirement and cheese tasting component.
• Level Three (Fellow) Self Study Modules Advanced Fellow certification comprising 4 core modules (Cheesemaking; Cheese Industry Knowledge; Cheese Tasting; Cheese Library with 300 cheeses) plus 4 of 8 supplementary modules, with approximately 100 hours of study plus 50 hours for the Cheese Library and a pass mark of ≥80% per module. Resit fee: £10 per module.
• Master of Cheese Certification Pathway The Academy's highest certification requiring completion of Levels 1–3, submission of an industry-experience portfolio, a 10,000-word research paper with presentation, a practical tasting assessment (Sensory Analysis and Cheese Identification), and a General Paper assessment.
• Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) Certification Support Academy programmes aligned with American Cheese Society CCP certification requirements, providing 300+ education hours that count toward CCP eligibility across the Level One, Level Two, and Level Three certifications.
• Friends of the Academy Subscription 12-month consumer subscription providing access to the Cheese Library (150+ cheeses), member discounts, exclusive event invitations, and cheese competitions.
• Cheese Tasting Boxes Pre-selected cheese boxes to support Level One (25 cheeses, £25) and Level Two (75 cheeses, £50) course tasting requirements, sourced from Cheese Etc.
• Training Partner Network Programme Accreditation and revenue-share programme for 40+ approved Training Partners worldwide (cheesemongers, wine schools, specialty food educators) to deliver Academy courses in-person and virtually across the UK, Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.
• Cheese Library Database Professionally verified database of 300+ cheeses with detailed profiles covering background, make process, maturation, and characteristics; included with Academy course enrollment and standalone subscription access via Friends of the Academy.
• Cheese TV On-Demand Video Platform On-demand video platform featuring cheese tastings, producer tours, masterclasses, and industry content, accessible to cheese professionals and enthusiasts.
• Guided Study Sessions Free live online workshops for self-study delegates led by expert tutors, lasting 30–60 minutes and limited in group size to encourage interaction, tasting, and discussion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% Level 1 exam pass rate demonstrates accessible yet rigorous assessment standards
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and regional.

• Quicke'sflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuicke's is both a Patron and co-founder of the Affineur of the Year competition. They supply competition cheeses (Clothbound Cheddar) and provide sponsorship. The partnership has been running since the competition's launch in 2022.
• Paxton & WhitfieldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRoyal Warrant holder and Training Partner delivering Academy of Cheese Level 1, 2, and 3 courses from their Jermyn Street location in London.
• TurnbullscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPatron and Training Partner providing Level One, Two and Three Academy courses. Also offers self-study option with 33 on-demand videos and audio.
• Dairy Farmers of WisconsinflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor patron supporting the Academy and its initiatives, promoting Wisconsin cheese industry knowledge and education globally.
• Guild of Fine FoodcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron organisation supporting Academy initiatives and retail cheese training courses delivered in partnership with the Academy.
• American Cheese SocietyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal recognition agreement where Academy of Cheese course hours count towards American Cheese Society CCP (Certified Cheese Professional) certification eligibility requirements.
• The Cheeseboard (Brisbane)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcademy Training Partner based in Brisbane, specialising in affinage, masterclasses, wholesale and Australian cheese courses.
• Fine VintageregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining Partner offering Academy courses across 40+ locations in North America, led by Master of Wine James Cluer. Also provides WSET certifications.
• George & JosephregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAward-winning Leeds-based cheesemongers and Training Partner championing British artisan cheeses with Academy Level 1 certification courses.
• La FromageriecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining Partner with 3 award-winning shops in London and successful wholesale business supplying fine dining restaurants.
• Dr Cheese AcademyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining Partner and cheese maker based in Shanghai, on a mission to promote cheese culture to Chinese cheese professionals and cheese lovers.
• L'école du Fromage (Savencia)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcademy Patron and Training Partner created by Savencia to share passion for the cheese world with professionals.
• Every Cheese (Partout Fromage)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining Partner offering Academy courses in French, English and Russian, plus consultancy and corporate events.
• Chiswick Cheese MarketcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron and partner in the Chiswick Cheese Market Cheesemakers Grant, supporting artisan cheesemakers through the Academy's grant programme.
• Le GruyèreflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron supporting Academy initiatives and promoting Swiss cheese knowledge and appreciation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Court of Master Sommeliers: Court of Master Sommeliers administers the four-stage sommelier certification pathway (Introductory through Master), mirroring the Academy's tiered professional credential approach in hospitality beverage education.
• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET): WSET is the global standard for wine and spirits vocational certification, operating tiered qualifications (Levels 1-4) delivered through a global Approved Programme Provider network — the closest analogue to the Academy of Cheese's model in a larger, more mature food/beverage category.
• Specialty Coffee Association (SCA): SCA delivers tiered coffee credentials (Barista, Brewing, Sensory, Roasting) through authorised trainers globally — directly comparable in structure, training-partner model, and specialty food/beverage professional education positioning.
• International Sommelier Guild (ISG): ISG provides sommelier certification through partner schools globally — directly comparable tiered professional credentialing model in the adjacent hospitality education market.
• Coffee Quality Institute (Q Grader): Q Grader certification is the coffee industry's standard for sensory and tasting competency, mirroring the Academy's SATC methodology and Certified Cheese Professional pathway in structure and assessment rigour.
• Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD): IBD delivers tiered qualifications in brewing and distilling through accredited centres — a long-established UK-based vocational certification body with a comparable training-partner delivery model to the Academy of Cheese.
• Guild of Fine Food: UK-based specialty food body running the World Cheese Awards and retail cheese training courses — a direct ecosystem peer and existing Academy partner whose judging and retail training missions overlap with the Academy's certification focus.

Emerging players

• L'école du Fromage (Savencia): Cheese training school operated by Savencia (a major dairy group) and Academy Patron — comparable in mission and audience but owned by a single corporate sponsor rather than operating as an independent non-profit certification body.
• Mons Formation (Saint-Haon-le-Châtel): French cheese retail and affinage training school whose five-day course is awarded as a scholarship prize in the Academy's Affineur of the Year Rising Star category — a direct cheese-specialist training peer with comparable curriculum depth.

Broad incumbents

• American Cheese Society (ACS): ACS administers the Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) credential in North America and formally recognises Academy course hours — the dominant US cheese certification body and an incumbent whose endorsement underpins the Academy's international credibility.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cheese_academy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXtQIGwMNDa0jDr4TKjKrcw
• Facebookfacebook.com/academyofcheese
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-academy-of-cheese
• Instagraminstagram.com/cheese_academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Academy of Cheese