From Barista to Cheesemonger: John Litzinger's Cheesy Journey

Welcome aboard, cheese lovers! You're about to embark on a delicious journey with our main man, John Litzinger. He's a cheese fanatic who turned his hobby into a full-blown career, and he's sharing his story with us today.

Say Cheese: The Start of Something Special

Rewind to 16 years ago. That's when our friend John got bitten by the culinary bug, thanks to Alton Brown's "Good Eats." (Same for me) At the time, John was brewing coffees at Starbucks, but destiny had other plans. A little nudge out of Starbucks landed him on a path paved with cheese.

Enter The Cheese Universe

John's initiation into the cheese cosmos was no less than a stroke of luck. He crossed paths with Randall Felts, who welcomed him into Whole Foods' specialty department. Fast forward eight years and multiple roles later, John was crowned with the elite ACS Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) title in 2019.

Cheesy Highlights and Achievements

John's cheese-filled journey is loaded with flavorful moments:

• His first experience of cracking and tasting a Parm wheel.

• The intense prep for the ACS CCP exam in Madison, Wisconsin.

• The unforgettable ACS conference in Richmond, Virginia.

• Bagging third place in the Cheesemonger Invitational (CMI) thrice.

But the real cheese on his sandwich? That's the bonds he's formed with his fellow cheesemongers and makers. From swapping cheese and beer pairings with Randall to lunching alongside Uplands cow herd with Andy Hatch, these moments have truly made his journey special.

Big Cheese Dreams

John's cheese ambitions are sky-high:

• He's eyeing the top spot at the Cheesemonger Invitational (CMI) and aims to compete in CMI Masters.

• He dreams of participating in Le Mondial du Fromage in France.

• He's set on earning the ACS T.A.S.T.E. certification.

But it's not just about personal glory. John's mission is to lift the cheese community by sharing knowledge, making cheese pricing more transparent, and breaking down the "high-end" barriers of the cheese world.

Future Cheese-ventures

As of now, John isn't cooking up any special projects, but he's got charity work on his radar for 2024. Fueled by personal and family health struggles, he aims to support health-related causes and assist those dealing with similar issues.

The Final Slice

John Litzinger's transformation from Starbucks barista to committed Cheesemonger is a testament to his love for cheese and his tenacity. His journey is a testament to the power of passion and the spirit of community.

To learn more about John's cheesy escapades and to connect with him, head over to @jlitzinger01 on Instagram.