Following applications from up-and-coming cheesemongers across the world, the Academy of Cheese has announced its six finalists for Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2025, sponsored by Peter’s Yard. Representing six different nations, these talented young cheese professionals will now prepare for the competition’s grand final, set to take place at the World Cheese Awards in Bern, Switzerland on Thursday 13 November.
Established to celebrate and support professional development within the industry, Young Cheesemonger of the Year has developed into a truly global showcase since its re-launch in 2022. This year’s finalists will include Emma Cachau from Fromagerie Chataigner in Paris, who was selected by La Fédération des Fromagers de France, as well as Hanna Lee from Uplands Cheese in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, who was put forward by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
Representing Ireland is Cián Ó Cinnéide, who works at Neal's Yard Dairy at Borough Market in London, as well as Tori McDonald from Mellis Cheese in Edinburgh, with the line-up completed by Magdalena Gruber from Mühltaler in Salzburg, Austria, and Harry English from La Fromagerie in Marylebone, London.
These finalists will now take part in five rounds of judging at Festhalle Bern next month. Challenges will include cutting and wrapping, cheese identification, pairing with Peter’s Yard crackers, and finally the ‘MasterRind’ quiz, all assessed by judges including top cheesemonger and broadcaster, Morgan McGlynn Carr, and renowned cheesemonger and cheesemaker, Andy Swinscoe from The Courtyard Dairy.
The winner will receive the coveted Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2025 trophy, a Boska Pro Cheese Tools Kit, a feature in Fine Food Digest magazine, a place on the Academy of Cheese Level Two certification course, and an invitation to judge at the World Cheese Awards 2026.
Tracey Colley, founding director of the Academy of Cheese, commented: “We’re so excited by the quality and diversity of our finalists this year, who are all forging their own impressive paths in the global cheese industry. With the support of our sponsors, Peter’s Yard, we’ve been able to raise the profile of the competition year-on-year, and so as Switzerland hosts the World Cheese Awards for the first time next month, and Bern becomes the ‘Capital of Cheese’, we’ll be putting the skills, knowledge and passion of young mongers centre stage.”
The Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2025 final will take place during the World Cheese Awards at the Festhalle Bern in Switzerland on Thursday 13 November, from 13.30 to 16.00.
