The Journey of a Cheese Enthusiast to Becoming a Cheese Monger
Cheese – the versatile, flavorful, and beloved dairy product has been a staple in many households and a favorite indulgence for foodies. For Doug Jacknick, his love for cheese led him on an exciting journey from a cheese enthusiast to a Cheese Monger at Maker to Monger, a title he proudly holds today.
Unofficial Cheese Monger: A Journey of 15+ Years
Doug Jacknick's cheese journey began in 2009, while he was finishing up culinary school. As part of his curriculum, Doug had to complete an internship. His passion for cheese led him to secure an internship at Frasca Food and Wine, a renowned restaurant in Boulder, CO. One of his responsibilities there was to coordinate and execute their cheese course, which was his first real hands-on experience with cheese.
In same year, Doug joined Whole Foods, working in one their cheese departments. He found this to be a great alternative to being in the restaurant business, providing a better work-life balance while still allowing him to indulge in his passion for food.
Cheese Avatar: Young Gruyere
Doug sees himself as a young wheel of Gruyere - a real crowd-pleaser with room to mature and grow in the cheese world.
“I like to think I get along with most people, or am a good crowd pleaser, so I relate to Gruyere in that sense. However I still feel very young in my career and know I have more developing to do. With more time and maturing, I know I'll end up the best cheese person I can be. I'm fairly versatile and up to many different tasks, much like Gruyere can be great on its own, served with accoutrements, added to a cheeseboard, or used in culinary applications. And lastly, I can be more on the bold and brash .side (aka loud), and I definitely am a bit nutty, but aren't we all?”
Favorite Moments, Goals, and Aspirations
As Doug immersed himself in the world of cheese, he found himself connecting with a variety of people, from cheesemakers to fellow mongers. His favorite moment, which he cherishes to this day, was a breakfast he had with Walter Räss, the exclusive cheesemaker of Challerhocker.
Doug's future cheese goals are bold and exciting. He aspires to travel to cheesemaking countries like England, Belgium, and Sweden to deepen his understanding and appreciation of the craft. He also plans to continue connecting with new mongers, a task he finds fulfilling and enjoyable.
The Cheesemonger Invitational – A Cheese Lover's Dream
Doug is actively involved in the cheese community, and one of the projects he's currently working on is The Cheesemonger Invitational. This event, conceived by Adam Moskowitz, is a competition for cheese mongers around the country. It's a unique opportunity for them to showcase their skills and knowledge.
Aside from the competition, The Cheesemonger Invitational is also a fantastic networking event. It brings together cheese mongers from all over the country, providing them with the chance to connect and share their experiences.
The Future of Cheese – A Global Perspective
In the fast-paced world of cheese, Doug sees abundant opportunities for growth and development. As the East Coast Sales Manager for Maker to Monger, a distributor of specialty foods, Doug's role allows him to travel to different parts of the world, an aspect of his job he particularly enjoys.
In his travels, Doug hopes to connect with other cheese enthusiasts and professionals, further expanding his network and knowledge base. This, he believes, will be instrumental in his journey to becoming the best cheese person he can be.
In conclusion, Doug's journey from a cheese enthusiast to a Cheese Monger is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. It's a reminder that our career paths are not always linear, and it's never too late to pursue our dreams. So, if you're a cheese lover, an aspiring cheesemonger, or simply someone looking for a fulfilling career, the cheese industry might just be the perfect place for you!