Title: CURD Program: Shaping the Future of Cheesemaking through Vocational Education

Description: Dr. Carmen Licon, the recipient of the Daphne Zepos Teaching award in 2024, introduced the CURD program, a vocational initiative designed to train the next generation of cheesemakers. Inspired by programs in France and Italy, the CURD Program combines classroom instruction, lab work, and real-world experience, providing students with a comprehensive education. The session highlighted available successful programs and the variety of career opportunities that have opened for students. Attendee learned how the CURD Program will cultivate skilled professionals.

Speaker:
Dr. Licon is a dairy foods innovator, educator, and ACS Certified Cheese Professional with 17+ years of experience in cheese education and research. Since 2023, she has served as the Director of the Dairy Products Technology Center at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She has international experience in Spain, France, and Mexico, working with multiple cheesemaking styles and studying cheese aroma development. Her work on developing a Manchego-type cheese with saffron, which has won numerous medals at the World Cheese Awards, is a testament to her innovative contributions to the cheese industry. She is an international cheese judge. Dr. Licon is deeply committed to education, consistently striving to share knowledge and inspire the next generation of cheese makers and dairy professionals through her classes and short courses. She was featured in Culture: The Word on Cheese magazine's Hot List in 2024. She is the 2024 recipient of the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award for her vision to develop a vocational program for cheesemakers. She serves on the ACS education committee and the California Artisanal Cheese Guild Board.

This webinar recording is free for ACS members or $25 for nonmembers. Make sure you are logged in to your account to view or you can purchase the recording here.