Louisville, KY & Jura, France – October 6, 2026 – In an era where culinary education increasingly values hands-on experience and deep contextual understanding, the Comté Cheese Association (CIGC) continues to lead the charge in fostering professional development within the American artisan cheese industry. For over a decade, the CIGC has strategically invested in educational initiatives designed to empower American cheese professionals, recognizing that true expertise extends far beyond the confines of a classroom. This commitment is vividly demonstrated through two distinct scholarship programs that cater to cheesemongers at pivotal stages of their careers: the Comté Association Conference Fund and the Comté Scholarship for ACS Certified Cheese Professionals (CCPs).
These initiatives, vital for cultivating a knowledgeable and passionate cheese community, address the significant financial and logistical hurdles often associated with advanced education and immersive travel. By doing so, they not only deepen individual expertise but also enrich the collective knowledge base that ultimately benefits consumers across the United States. The latest beneficiaries of these prestigious awards, Zaski Blazek, a dedicated cheesemonger from Minnesota-based Lunds & Byerlys, and Michael Oliver, a seasoned CCP, exemplify the profound impact these scholarships have on shaping careers and enhancing the appreciation for fine cheese.
Nurturing Expertise: The Comté Cheese Association’s Enduring Commitment
The journey of a cheesemonger is often a dynamic blend of sensory exploration, continuous inquiry, and practical application. It unfolds behind the cheese counter, through collaborative tastings with colleagues, on visits to producer facilities, and amidst the vibrant discussions at industry conferences. Crucially, it involves asking an endless series of questions: How is this cheese crafted? What specific processes contribute to its unique flavor profile? And how does its place of origin, its terroir, intimately influence its taste and character?
These invaluable learning opportunities, however, frequently demand significant investments of time, travel, and financial resources—commodities that are not always readily available to aspiring or established professionals. Recognizing this critical gap, the Comté Cheese Association has steadfastly championed educational programs designed to bridge these disparities, providing cheese professionals with unparalleled access to experiences that profoundly deepen their expertise. This, in turn, empowers them to share a richer, more nuanced understanding with their customers, fostering a greater appreciation for the intricate world of artisan cheese.
Jean-Louis Carbonnier, the astute US representative for the Comté Cheese Association, articulates the strategic vision behind these initiatives. "We strongly believe that the growing number of certified mongers will help grow the interest in fine cheese among a larger public," Carbonnier states. He emphasizes the dual objective of these programs: to cultivate a broader foundation of cheese knowledge within the American market while simultaneously ensuring that Comté remains "top of mind" throughout a monger’s entire professional trajectory.
Bridging the Gap: Education Beyond the Counter
The very nature of cheese education necessitates engagement beyond theoretical study. It thrives on sensory engagement—the subtle nuances of aroma, texture, and flavor—and contextual understanding, tracing a cheese back to its origins. This requires participation in industry events, direct interaction with producers, and specialized training that often comes with a considerable price tag. Scholarships serve as a crucial lifeline, transforming aspirational learning into tangible opportunities for growth.
A Legacy of Learning: The Evolution of Comté’s Scholarship Initiatives
The Comté Cheese Association’s commitment to education is deeply rooted, spanning more than a decade. Over this period, two distinct programs have emerged, each tailored to support cheese professionals at different, yet equally critical, junctures in their careers.
The Comté Association Conference Fund: Paving the Path to Certification
Established in 2019 and expertly administered through the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF), the Comté Association Conference Fund was specifically designed to support professionals on their journey toward achieving the prestigious American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional (ACS CCP) credential. This highly respected certification signifies a rigorous level of knowledge and expertise in cheese, covering everything from production methods and affineur techniques to pairing principles and food safety. The fund is open to applicants who have been officially accepted to sit for that year’s CCP exam and who express a keen desire to attend the annual ACS Conference, a premier gathering for the American cheese community. Financial need is a paramount consideration in the selection process, ensuring that the scholarship reaches those for whom it can make the most significant difference.
For one deserving recipient each year, the scholarship is transformative, effectively removing many of the financial barriers associated with pursuing certification. It comprehensively covers conference registration, hotel accommodation, travel expenses, an individual ACS membership, and the essential CCP exam fee.
At the 2026 American Cheese Society Conference held in the vibrant city of Louisville, Kentucky, Zaski Blazek, a dedicated cheesemonger from Lunds & Byerlys in Minnesota, was announced as this year’s Comté Association Conference Fund recipient. Blazek’s pursuit of the CCP credential was a long-held ambition, having diligently studied for the rigorous exam for two years before finally sitting for it in the summer.
Blazek’s aspiration to become a CCP had been present almost since the nascent stages of their cheese career. As an apprentice, they had the privilege of working alongside a CCP-certified mentor whose profound enthusiasm for the industry served as an inspiring gateway. This mentorship introduced Blazek to a professional community—a network of passionate individuals—that they had never before encountered.
“The next three years I immersed myself in cheese, and I could feel my confidence and love for it growing the more I studied, the more events I showed up to and the more people I met,” Blazek reflects. By the time the exam approached, the meaning of earning the credential had evolved for them. “Getting the title no longer felt like a condition for acceptance, but rather like a celebration that I’d made it that far on my own.”
For Blazek, the financial relief provided by the scholarship was the crucial factor that distinguished between simply taking the exam and fully engaging with the conference experience. “When I found out I’d gotten the scholarship, I didn’t know what to do with myself,” they recall with evident excitement. “Everything was covered, I could attend the conference in person, and I could take the exam on time.” This support allowed Blazek to fully immerse themselves in the conference’s educational sessions, networking opportunities, and the palpable energy of the broader cheese community they had worked for years to join.
The Comté Scholarship for ACS CCPs: An Immersion in the Jura
Complementing the Conference Fund is the Comté Scholarship for ACS CCPs, a program with an even longer history, having been created more than 13 years ago. This scholarship is exclusively open to cheese professionals who have already achieved their ACS CCP certification, signifying their established expertise. Unlike the Conference Fund, this award takes the form of an annual essay contest, typically held each fall. Certified Cheese Professionals are invited to demonstrate their profound knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for Comté through compelling written submissions.
The ultimate prize for the winner is a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey to the picturesque Jura region of France—the ancestral home of Comté. This immersive experience is complemented by a $750 stipend, providing the recipient with additional support for their travels. The timeline between winning the scholarship and embarking on the journey allows for meticulous planning and anticipation. Michael Oliver, who was honored as the 2025 scholarship recipient in January of this year, recently concluded his enriching trip to the Jura in September, traveling as part of the Comté Association’s media group. During his visit, Oliver was afforded the extraordinary opportunity to witness firsthand the intricate, interconnected ecosystem that underpins Comté production: from the tranquil dairy farms dotting the landscape, to the bustling village fruitières (cooperative dairies), and the revered aging cellars, or caves d’affinage.
For Oliver, this distinction between theoretical knowledge and direct experience is central to the profound value of the opportunity. “You can learn a lot about a cheese from behind the counter, but you can’t learn what a place feels like until you stand in it,” he asserts. “I can study the landscape, the fruitières, the affineurs and the traditions behind Comté, but that’s different from walking through the cellars, meeting the people and seeing how the cheese fits into everyday life in the Jura.”
The application window for the next scholarship competition is currently open, with the 2026 recipient anticipated to be announced in early 2027.
The Deep Dive: Unpacking the Scholarship Experiences
The impact of these scholarships extends far beyond mere financial assistance; they are catalysts for profound personal and professional growth, offering experiences that reshape perspectives and deepen connections to the world of cheese.
The Transformative Power of the ACS Conference
For Zaski Blazek, the ACS Conference in Louisville was a crucible of learning and connection. Once there, they immersed themselves in an environment brimming with industry leaders, fellow cheesemongers, and passionate cheesemakers from every corner of the country. Blazek attended a diverse array of educational sessions, ranging from advanced technical workshops on microbiology and curd mechanics to discussions on sustainable dairy practices and innovative marketing strategies. More importantly, they experienced firsthand the vibrant, supportive community that defines the American Cheese Society. This invaluable exposure to a broader network of professionals, ideas, and innovations now directly informs Blazek’s daily work behind the counter.
“These moments I carry with me when I approach my counter every morning,” Blazek shares, emphasizing the enduring resonance of the conference. “They keep me excited about the products in my case and the people behind them.” This rekindled enthusiasm and expanded knowledge are palpable to their customers. Blazek notes that patrons sometimes remark that they “weren’t expecting to learn something” when a casual conversation about a cheese transforms into an engaging lesson on the role of salt in aging, the intriguing formation of tyrosine crystals, or the delicate evolution of a bloomy rind’s creamline. This ability to translate complex information into captivating narratives is a direct outcome of the comprehensive education and networking opportunities afforded by the scholarship.
Journey to the Source: The Jura Immersion
The Comté Scholarship offers an unparalleled opportunity for certified professionals to journey to the very heart of Comté production in the Jura Mountains. As Jean-Louis Carbonnier explains, “The trip to the Jura is an opportunity to show what a PDO represents by connecting Comté to its human, geographical, historical, social and economic context.” This context, he notes, can be incredibly challenging to fully comprehend from the other side of an American cheese counter.
Comté, a cheese renowned globally for its distinct nutty and fruity notes, is protected by a strict Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP), or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which dictates every aspect of its production. This includes the specific breed of cow—the iconic Montbéliarde and Simmental Française—their diet (exclusively local grasses and hay), the strict milk collection radius, and the artisanal cheesemaking and aging processes.
Recipients like Michael Oliver are immersed in this deeply cooperative production system, which seamlessly links dairy farmers, local cheesemakers operating in small village fruitières, and specialized affineurs responsible for the extensive aging in vast, subterranean cellars. This collaborative model, which supports approximately 14,000 jobs and sustains 2,400 farms within a largely mountainous and economically integrated region of France, is a testament to shared rules and collective responsibility. Visitors, Carbonnier observes, are often surprised by the profound degree of integration and meticulous foresight. “Everything is very integrated and thought through to ensure that the Comté ecosystem works in the best interest of all involved,” he adds.
Oliver’s interest extends beyond the tangible elements of this system. He is particularly drawn to the less quantifiable pieces of the ecosystem: “the smells, the sounds, a conversation with someone, the way a place feels in a certain moment.” These sensory and emotional details, he believes, are the alchemy that transforms mere information into a compelling narrative, allowing a cheesemonger to truly connect with their customers. “When I come home, I’ll be able to share Comté from a much more personal place, with real people, places and memories behind the story,” Oliver says. “If I can make someone a little more curious, a little more adventurous, or just make them stop for a second and really feel something when they taste it, that means a lot to me.”
Imagine Oliver, returning from the rugged, verdant pastures of the Jura, where the Montbéliarde cows graze freely, their milk infused with the flavors of the alpine flora. He will recall the warmth of the fruitière, the cheesemaker’s practiced hand gauging the curd’s texture until it feels like grains of rice, ready for hooping. He will remember the cool, damp air of the aging caves at Fort de Saint-Antoine, where thousands of golden Comté wheels mature, tended by affineurs who understand the subtle language of mold and moisture. These vivid memories and sensory impressions are what he will translate into stories for his customers, elevating a simple transaction into an educational and emotional experience.
A Ripple Effect: Broader Implications for the Cheese Industry
The Comté Cheese Association’s scholarship programs are not merely individual awards; they are strategic investments designed to create a far-reaching ripple effect, enhancing the American cheese industry on multiple levels.
Elevating American Palates and Professional Standards
The core vision, as articulated by Jean-Louis Carbonnier, is to elevate both professional standards and consumer appreciation. By increasing the number of certified and deeply knowledgeable cheesemongers, the CIGC aims to cultivate a more sophisticated and engaged public for fine cheese. These mongers serve as crucial conduits of information, translating complex production methods and terroir characteristics into accessible and appealing narratives for everyday consumers. Keeping Comté "top of mind" within this growing cadre of experts ensures its continued prominence and understanding in the American market.
The impact is clear in Zaski Blazek’s daily interactions. Their ability to share stories and facts gleaned from the conference transforms a routine purchase into an enriching experience, encouraging customers to explore further and appreciate the craftsmanship behind the cheese. This continuous, informal education at the counter is paramount to expanding the overall market for artisan and specialty cheeses.
Cultivating Global Understanding and Artisan Appreciation
The Jura scholarship offers a unique window into the principles of a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and the intricacies of a deeply cooperative agricultural system. In the Jura, the concept of a PDO is not just a label; it’s a living framework that governs an entire regional economy and culture. The degree of collaboration among farmers, cheesemakers, and affineurs—all working in concert under strict guidelines to produce Comté—provides a powerful lesson in sustainable, community-driven food production. This understanding helps American professionals advocate for and appreciate similar traditional systems, whether domestic or international.
Past recipients of these scholarships have actively embraced their role as ambassadors of cheese knowledge. For instance, Lissa Knudsen, a previous Conference Fund recipient, organized public screenings of the French film Holy Cow in New Mexico, thoughtfully accompanying these events with samples of Comté. Similarly, past Jura scholarship recipients have returned to host special tastings and engage in detailed conversations with customers, sharing their firsthand observations and experiences from France. These initiatives extend the reach of the scholarships beyond the individual, creating community engagement and broader educational opportunities.
The Future of Cheese Education
Ultimately, these scholarships represent an investment in the very fabric of a vibrant and evolving cheese culture. They underscore the importance of blending academic study with practical, experiential learning—a holistic approach that creates truly well-rounded professionals. By removing financial barriers and providing access to unparalleled experiences, the Comté Cheese Association is actively shaping the next generation of American cheese leaders.
As Blazek eloquently puts it, the Conference Fund not only provided access to the exam and conference but also a wealth of "stories, relationships, and knowledge that now surface in everyday conversations across the cheese counter." For Michael Oliver, as he reflects on his recent journey to the Jura, the objective is even more profound. “What I’m most hoping to bring home isn’t just more knowledge,” he states. “I want to bring home a feeling.” This desire to transmit the emotional and sensory essence of Comté and its homeland speaks to the deepest aspirations of true culinary education.
Conclusion: Investing in the Flavor of Tomorrow
The Comté Cheese Association’s unwavering commitment to fostering education and professional growth within the American cheese industry is a testament to its forward-thinking approach. Through the Comté Association Conference Fund and the Comté Scholarship for ACS CCPs, the CIGC is not merely awarding grants; it is actively cultivating a more knowledgeable, passionate, and connected community of cheese professionals.
These programs empower individuals like Zaski Blazek and Michael Oliver to achieve their highest potential, equipping them with the expertise, experiences, and compelling narratives needed to ignite curiosity and deepen appreciation for artisan cheese among consumers. In doing so, the CIGC reinforces its dedication to the broader artisan food movement, ensuring that the rich history, intricate craftsmanship, and exceptional flavors of cheeses like Comté continue to thrive and delight palates across the United States for generations to come. It is an investment in knowledge, in passion, and ultimately, in the enduring flavor of tomorrow.
