The Grand Gourmand

26/08/2026

I heard this box has something special in it, I am lookin forward to receiving mine!

Last call for September orders.

Thursday 27 August is the cutoff for the next dispatch. Four hand-selected NZ artisan cheeses, maker stories, and pairing notes, shipped the first Wednesday of every month.

If Father's Day is still on your list, this is the moment.

Order before Thursday: thecheesewheel.co.nz

Ordering as a gift? Pop the recipient's name and shipping details in the notes at checkout and we'll make sure it reaches them.

25/08/2026

The Grand Gourmand, brings 23 years of experience in New Zealand’s speciality cheese industry to this Academy of Cheese training - With experience spanning cheesemaking, sales, education and the promotion of speciality cheese.

Our Level 1 courses are designed to make the world of cheese more understandable, giving participants a strong foundation on which to build their knowledge.

Join me, Franco - online for one of our upcoming courses:

📅 23rd - 24th September
📅 14th - 15th October
📅 11th -12th November

https://academyofcheese.org/course/the-grand-gourmand-associate-certification-level-one/

13/08/2026

There’s a lot more to tasting cheese than “I like it” or “I don’t.” 🧀

Learning to taste cheese properly opens up a whole new world of flavour, aroma, texture and craftsmanship.

The Academy of Cheese Level 1: Associate Certification, gives you a structured introduction to cheese and helps you build the vocabulary and knowledge to talk about it with confidence. Whether you work with cheese or simply want to understand it better, this is a chance to turn curiosity into genuine knowledge.

Upcoming online courses are available in September, October and November.

https://academyofcheese.org/course/the-grand-gourmand-associate-certification-level-one/

04/08/2026

Our next Academy of Cheese courses are now live!

If you’ve ever wanted to understand cheese beyond simply knowing what you like, this is your opportunity to learn how to taste, describe and appreciate it with greater confidence.

The Grand Gourmand’s Academy of Cheese Level 1: Associate Certification is an internationally recognised introduction to the world of cheese, suitable for industry professionals and enthusiastic cheese lovers alike.

Upcoming online course dates:

🧀 23rd - 24th September
🧀 14th - 15th October
🧀 11th - 12th November

Secure your place now through Academy of Cheese!

https://academyofcheese.org/course/the-grand-gourmand-associate-certification-level-one/

29/07/2026

Something a little different from us today, and a small confession.

Our Business Manager Franco, who many of you will know has spent almost 30 years in the New Zealand specialty cheese industry, was one of five judges at this year's NZ Vegan Cheese Awards, run by the Vegan Society of Aotearoa. He came home talking about what he tasted for quite some time.

The Supreme Winner was Savour Vegan Creamery's "Cashbert," a cashew-based Camembert complete with a proper mould-ripened rind. Judges described it as "unctuous and tasty, a perfect addition to any cheeseboard." Other strong performers included Let Them Eat Vegan, who picked up multiple Gold medals across categories, Epic Foods taking Gold for their Peri Peri Chilli and Feta, Zenzo winning Gold for Mozzarella, and One Love Planet earning medals for everything from a Bohemian Blue to a Cumin Chilli Garlic Havarti.

Whether you follow us for dairy or dairy-free, this is New Zealand food innovation doing something worth noticing. Congratulations to all the 2026 winners.

26/07/2026

This year's New Zealand Vegan Cheese Awards showcased the passion, creativity and innovation driving the industry forward. From traditional styles to exciting new creations, the quality on display made judging a rewarding experience.

Congratulations to the makers of the supreme award-winning Cashbert Creamy Camembert and to every producer who entered. It's fantastic to see plant-based cheese continuing to evolve and gain well-deserved recognition.

Read more about Savour, the supreme winner, here:
�https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/food/a-camembert-made-from-cashews-is-new-zealand-s-top-vegan-cheese

The "unctuous and tasty" cheese stood out among a growing array of plant-based options.

24/07/2026

What a fantastic day celebrating innovation in New Zealand's vegan cheese industry! 🧀🌱

It was a privilege to be part of the judging panel for this year's New Zealand Vegan Cheese Awards, where we had the opportunity to taste an impressive range of entries showcasing the creativity and dedication of local producers.

Congratulations to all of the award winners and every cheesemaker who entered. Producing exceptional cheese requires skill, passion and a commitment to quality, and it was wonderful to see that on display throughout the competition.

A big thank you to the organisers, fellow judges and everyone involved in making the event such a success. I always enjoy supporting initiatives that celebrate excellence and encourage innovation within our food industry.

Stay tuned to find out the winner! 👏

23/07/2026

A privilege to be judging some of New Zealand's best vegan cheeses today! 🧀🌱

Today I'm honoured to be serving as a judge at the New Zealand Vegan Cheese Awards here in Auckland, alongside other industry professionals celebrating the incredible innovation happening in artisan vegan cheesemaking.

It's always inspiring to see how the cheese industry continues to evolve, and I'm looking forward to tasting some outstanding products today.

Stay tuned, we’ll share some highlights and celebrate the winners once judging wraps up!

23/07/2026

A must-try!

The "unctuous and tasty" cheese stood out among a growing array of plant-based options.

20/07/2026

Last month, I had the pleasure of chatting with Emile Donovan on RNZ Afternoons about New Zealand's incredible success at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards 2026 and what makes our local cheese industry so highly regarded around the world.

I'm often asked whether cheese judging is a dream job, and the answer is yes! It's a privilege to work with passionate cheesemakers, taste exceptional cheeses, and help celebrate the craftsmanship behind every award-winning product.

If you missed the interview, it's still well worth a listen. Thanks again to RNZ for having me on and for shining a spotlight on New Zealand cheese.

Listen here:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2019041231/find-out-what-makes-nz-a-big-player-in-the-world-of-cheese