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Janet Fletcher

180 Stonecrest Dr
Napa, CA, 94558
(707) 265-0404
{ Janet Fletcher / Food Writer }

{ Janet Fletcher / Food Writer }

Janet Fletcher

  • Home
  • About
    • About Janet
    • Media
    • Client List
    • Contact
  • Planet Cheese
    • Planet Cheese Blog
    • Planet Cheese Signup
    • Cheese Library
  • Store
    • All Items
    • World Cheese Tour
    • Books
  • Classes
    • World Cheese Tour Classes
    • Other Classes & Events
    • Custom Class/Event Request
    • Cheese O'Clock Video Archive
  • Recipes
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Comfort

U.S. Cheesemongers Vie for World Champion

July 11, 2023 janet@janetfletcher.com

Photo: Janee' Muha

Will an American be the next World Champion Cheesemonger? It could happen, although it never has. But this year is different. This year, a small army is working mightily to clinch the title for Team U.S.A. The U.S. has two entrants—Courtney Johnson from the Seattle area and Sam Rollins from Portland, Oregon—who will be competing against each other and against 14 mongers from other nations at the biannual contest in France in September.

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In From: U.S. Tags Cheesemonger Invitational, Mondial du Fromage, Rodolph Le Meunier, Courtney Johnson, Sam Rollins, cheese competition, cheesemonger, Adam Moskowitz
14 Comments

Rock-Star Monger Takes the Stage

January 22, 2019 janet@janetfletcher.com
Planet Cheese 147 competition-jill-1F9A0822.jpg

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jill Zenoff, winner of the 2019 Cheesemonger Invitational. This semiannual competition is the Wimbledon of the retail cheese world, an opportunity for the people behindthe counter to strut their stuff. In a series of zany challenges, the contestants flaunt their skills at cutting, wrapping, pairing, plating and selling cheese. A combination of Jeopardy!, Top Chef and America’s Got Talent, the day-long battle ends with a winner crowned on stage before a frenzied audience. Despite the contest’s madcap nature, victory confers prestige. For the monger who prevails, doors can open.

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In From: U.S. Tags Cheesemonger Invitational, Jill Zenoff, Cowgirl Creamery, cheesemonger, Jasper Hill Farm, Hill Farmstead, L’Amuse Gouda, Dandelion Chocolate
12 Comments

He’s the Big Cheese Now

January 30, 2018 janet@janetfletcher.com
Photos: Ellen Cronin

Photos: Ellen Cronin

Not every person behind every cheese counter is a passionate cheese enthusiast. But many who are dream of competing in the Cheesemonger Invitational, the semi-annual smackdown that crowns a victor after two days of grueling tests and contests. Evaluated on their skills at selling, cutting, tasting and pairing, the participants engage in friendly battle intended to raise the stature of their craft.

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In From: U.S. Tags Cheesemonger Invitational, Dedalus Wine, Rory Stamp, Adam Moskowitz, Vermont cheese, Cremont, Mt. Tam, Beenleigh Blue, Neal’s Yard Dairy, Honey Road, Formaticum
6 Comments

We Have a Winner

January 31, 2017 janet@janetfletcher.com
Jessica-Lawrenz

She is California’s first-ever winner of the Cheesemonger Invitational, and she prevailed in a landslide. Jessica Lawrenz, you rock. The 32-year-old monger from San Diego vanquished 34 other contestants from around the country in this grueling test of talent. She cut, she wrapped, she paired, she plated. And then, she almost blew it.

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Tags Venissimo, Cheesemonger Invitational, Adam Moskowitz, Jessica Lawrenz, gen mai cha, Vermont Creamery Coupole, Jasper Hill Willoughby
17 Comments
 

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Welcome to my world: a fragrant, fascinating universe devoted to great cheese. In this and future Planet Cheese posts, you’ll find profiles of the world’s best cheeses plus insights into everything cheese: shops, recipes, interviews, pairing discoveries, classes, videos, travel. If you haven’t already done so, sign up here - it’s complimentary - and join me in learning something new about cheese every week.


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     Photographs: Douglas Fletcher, Ed Anderson, Megan Clouse, Faith Echtermeyer, Eva Kolenko,
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