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Hello everyone.

I was put in charge of a small commercial dairy at the beginning of the year. It's attached to a small sanctuary/farm where I'd been working since 2009, and when the dairy manager was unexpectedly taken ill and had to resign, I was promoted to his job because I was the only one with any training - I'd worked with him in the past when he needed help. But I'm only 22, have no prior experience making any dairy products AND it's a one-woman department, so it's been pretty hard!

I'm learning as I go, making lots of mistakes but having successes too.

So far I am skimming milk and making: skimmed milk natural yoghurt, Greek yoghurt, paneer (an Indian semi-soft cheese if anyone doesn't know), butter and ghee. I want to move into making cheddar cheese and sour cream in the next few months.

My company is international and a colleague from Belgium came a few months ago to show me how to make hard cheese. It completely failed and he was unable to offer much advice. I was put off making cheese because of how much milk I wasted, but now I want to give it another go. I'm glad I found somewhere with experts

First let me say that you landed a great opportunity if your aspiring to be a cheesemaker.

Quickest (but most expenssive way) would be to bring in an advisor\consultant which will adjust some recipes for you and teach you the basics how to of the making and aging. 

Starting a commerical cheddar line might not be the best choice commericaly in the uk as there are so many great farmhouse cheddars made in small farms, maybe look for some different cheese which can set you apart?

I'm actually producing cheese for three kitchens who are attached to the company, so I always have a customer for my products. I only make the products that they request so I don't have the headache of worrying if I can sell them!

The company already spent £1,000 sending my predecessor on a cheese-making course and they're hesitant to do it again, so I'm trying to learn the long way. If I fail we'll have no choice, but I will try my best.

Thank you for the welcome

How did your previous attempt fail? At which stage in the process and what happened? Do you want to start with that and troubleshoot or try a new approach to see where it leads you?

Welcome