Academy of Cheese
The Academy of Cheese’s Level One course is designed for those who want to know a bit more about the wonderful world of cheese so go and study with them!
Saturday 18th October 2025, 9.30am – 4pm
What will I learn?
In this course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to take your Level 1 exam. Once you’ve passed it you will be an Academy of Cheese Associate. You will learn the correct way to taste cheese, how to present it, how it’s made and much, much more.
There are the 9 modules which form the course:
1: Milk Production and Cheesemaking
2: Maturing, Affinage and Grading
3: Buying and Distribution
4: Presenting and Serving
5: Communicating About Cheese
6: Cheese Industry Knowledge
7: Regulation and Good Practice
8: Tasting
9: 25 Iconic Cheeses
Pangbourne Cheese Shop
Winner of the UK Cheesemonger of the Year at the Farm Shop & Deli Awards as well as Cheese Counter of the Year at The World Cheese Awards.
The Pangbourne Cheese Shop is independently owned by Ali & Jen Grimstone-Jones who, like the rest of their knowledgeable shop staff, are passionate about serving great cheese.
They always have over 100 cheeses for you to taste so you can choose a familiar favourite or experience something new.
Their customers are at the heart of everything they do and they try to share their love of all things cheese at every opportunity.
They buy their cheese direct from small cheesemakers and specialist cheese merchants.
Their ethos is to offer their customers great cheese with old fashioned customer service for an all round shopping experience.
They aim to provide a great customer experience from their small shop and are thrilled to have been recognised for their efforts over the past few years.
They were awarded Cheese Counter of the Year at the World Cheese Awards in 2017.
They were named Cheese Shop of the Year at the Farm Shop and Deli Awards in 2019 and also recognised as Regional Winner across all categories that year.
In 2020, they were national runner up for Cheese Shop of The Year run by the Guild of Fine Food.
In addition to a wide selection of cheese, they stock a range of delicious chutneys, crackers, beers, ciders and wines which compliment any cheeseboard.
They delight in offering great products from talented local craftspeople as well as artisan producers further afield.
0118 984 3323
The door to their cheese shop at 17 Reading Road has a paved slope from the pavement and a small threshold approximately 3cm high.
The door is wide enough for a wheelchair.
The door opens and closes manually and staff will always provide help for customers.
The Loose Larder at 15 Reading Road has a raised door frame to step over onto a small area followed by two steps down into the shop with a hand rail to the right.
Unfortunately this shop is not wheelchair friendly but their staff will bring goods and shopping to the door and they are working towards a home delivery service.
The Tasting Rooms are upstairs at 15 Reading Road.
There is a raised door frame to step over as you enter, followed by two steps down with handrails both sides.
Once in the well lit hallway you make your way up 13 stairs with handrails on either side.
At the top you will find the Tasting Rooms and toilets.
There is no lift access in this building.
Customers who have impaired mobility or who need additional support are asked to book their Tasting Sessions by phoning 0118 984 3323 so that Cheese Etc staff can understand their needs and make provision to accommodate them.
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