By Mallory Scyphers
October 6, 2026
Web Exclusive

The intricate world of artisanal cheese extends far beyond the counter, demanding a depth of knowledge that classroom learning alone cannot provide. For dedicated cheesemongers, true mastery is forged through a mosaic of experiences: hands-on tasting, direct engagement with producers, participation in industry conferences, and an insatiable curiosity that fuels a constant stream of questions. How is this cheese crafted? What nuanced factors contribute to its distinct flavor profile? How does its specific place of origin intricately shape its character?

However, these invaluable opportunities — which often involve significant time, travel, and financial investment — are not always readily accessible. Recognizing this critical gap, the Comté Cheese Association (CIGC) has, for over a decade, championed educational initiatives designed to empower American cheese professionals. Through two distinct scholarship programs, the CIGC strategically supports mongers at various pivotal stages of their careers, fostering a new generation of experts who can deepen public appreciation for fine cheese.

These scholarships are more than just financial aid; they are gateways to profound learning experiences that enhance expertise and, crucially, enrich the knowledge shared with consumers. By removing barriers and providing direct access to the heart of the cheese world, the Comté Cheese Association is making a tangible investment in individual careers and the broader artisan cheese market.

The Foundation of Expertise: Comté Association Conference Fund

The Comté Association Conference Fund is meticulously designed to bolster aspiring American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professionals (ACS CCPs) on their journey towards certification. Established in 2019 and expertly administered through the American Cheese Education Foundation, this fund addresses the practical challenges faced by dedicated individuals striving for this rigorous industry credential.

A Commitment to Aspiring Professionals

The scholarship is open to applicants who have been accepted to sit for that year’s CCP exam and wish to attend the prestigious ACS Conference. A key consideration for selection is demonstrated financial need, ensuring that the scholarship effectively removes significant economic hurdles. For the chosen recipient, the scholarship is comprehensive, covering conference registration, hotel and travel expenses, an individual ACS membership, and the all-important CCP exam fee. This holistic support allows professionals to focus entirely on their studies and immerse themselves fully in the conference experience, rather than being burdened by logistical or financial worries.

The ACS CCP certification is a highly respected benchmark in the American cheese industry, signifying a comprehensive understanding of cheese history, production, ripening, sanitation, sales, and customer service. Achieving this credential requires diligent study and a deep passion for the craft, making the support offered by the Comté Association Conference Fund invaluable.

Zaski Blazek’s Journey to Certification: A Story of Passion and Perseverance

At the highly anticipated 2026 American Cheese Society Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, a significant announcement was made: Zaski Blazek, a dedicated cheesemonger with Minnesota-based Lunds & Byerlys, was named this year’s Comté Association Conference Fund recipient. Blazek’s path to this recognition was one of unwavering commitment, having diligently studied for the CCP exam for two years before taking it earlier in the summer.

For Blazek, earning the CCP credential had been a long-held aspiration, almost since the very inception of their cheese career. As an apprentice, they were fortunate to work under the guidance of a CCP-certified mentor whose profound enthusiasm for the industry proved infectious. This mentorship not only ignited Blazek’s passion but also introduced them to a vibrant professional community that they had not previously 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 recounted, reflecting on their formative years in the industry. By the time the exam approached, the significance of earning the credential had evolved. “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.”

The financial support provided by the scholarship proved to be a turning point for Blazek, transforming the prospect of simply sitting for the exam into an opportunity to fully participate in the immersive conference experience. “When I found out I’d gotten the scholarship, I didn’t know what to do with myself,” they expressed with clear relief and excitement. “Everything was covered, I could attend the conference in person, and I could take the exam on time.”

Once in Louisville, Blazek seized every opportunity, connecting with cheesemakers and mongers from across the country, attending enriching educational sessions, and finally experiencing firsthand the expansive cheese community they had dedicated years to joining. These invaluable encounters and connections now serve as a wellspring of inspiration, accompanying them back to their cheese counter.

“These moments I carry with me when I approach my counter every morning,” Blazek affirmed. “They keep me excited about the products in my case and the people behind them.” The ripple effect of this enhanced knowledge is palpable, as customers sometimes express surprise, remarking that they “weren’t expecting to learn something” when a simple conversation about a cheese evolves into a fascinating lesson on the role of salt, the formation of tyrosine crystals, or the intricate development of a bloomy rind’s creamline.

Official Response: Investing in the Future of Artisan Cheese

Jean-Louis Carbonnier, the 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,” he states. The association’s hope is dual-pronged: to keep Comté “top of mind” throughout a monger’s professional journey, while simultaneously contributing to the broader foundation of cheese knowledge within the American market. This investment is not merely philanthropic; it’s a proactive measure to cultivate a more informed and passionate consumer base, ultimately benefiting the entire artisan cheese ecosystem.

Beyond the Counter: The Comté Scholarship for ACS CCPs

While the Conference Fund nurtures emerging talent, the Comté Scholarship for ACS CCPs elevates the education of established professionals, offering an unparalleled immersive journey to the very heart of Comté production. This scholarship, initiated over 13 years ago, is exclusively open to cheese professionals who have already achieved their American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional certification, recognizing their existing expertise and commitment.

An Essay Contest Leading to the Jura

Unlike the needs-based Conference Fund, this prestigious scholarship takes the form of an essay contest held each fall. ACS CCPs are invited to demonstrate their profound knowledge and passionate enthusiasm for Comté, articulating why they deserve the opportunity to experience its origins firsthand. The ultimate prize is a transformative trip to France’s picturesque Jura region, accompanied by a generous $750 stipend to support their travels.

The journey from winning the scholarship to embarking on the trip involves a thoughtful preparation period. Michael Oliver, who was proudly named the 2025 scholarship recipient this past January, recently completed his pilgrimage to the Jura in September, traveling alongside the Comté Association’s media group. There, he was granted the extraordinary opportunity to intimately experience the region’s deeply interconnected system of dairy farms, cooperative village fruitières, and specialized aging cellars (affineurs).

Experiential Learning: Michael Oliver in the Jura

For Oliver, the critical distinction between merely knowing about a place and truly experiencing it is central to the profound value of this 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 eloquently explains. “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.”

Oliver’s experience encompasses the full spectrum of Comté production, from the verdant pastures where Montbéliarde cows graze to the bustling fruitières where their milk is transformed into cheese, and finally to the ancient, cavernous aging cellars like Fort de Saint-Antoine, where wheels of Comté mature for months, sometimes years, under the watchful eye of affineurs. This direct engagement allows for a sensory understanding that no textbook can replicate—the earthy aroma of the aging caves, the crisp mountain air, the sounds of rural life, and the warmth of conversations with the people whose lives are intrinsically linked to Comté.

The next scholarship competition is currently open, inviting passionate ACS CCPs to submit their essays, with the 2026 recipient anticipated to be announced in early 2027. This continuous cycle ensures that new voices and perspectives are regularly brought into the Comté story.

Official Response: Grasping the PDO’s Essence

Carbonnier emphasizes the educational imperative of the Jura trip: “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 grasp from the other side of an American cheese counter. Comté’s production system is a testament to deep cooperation, uniting farmers, cheesemakers, and affineurs through shared rules, responsibilities, and a collective commitment to quality dictated by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).

This robust PDO system ensures that every wheel of Comté adheres to stringent standards, guaranteeing its authenticity and unique character. Carbonnier highlights the impressive scale and integration of this system, which directly supports approximately 14,000 jobs and sustains 2,400 farms across the largely mountainous Jura region of France. For visitors, the degree of collaboration and thoughtful integration is often surprising. “Everything is very integrated and thought through to ensure that the Comté ecosystem works in the best interest of all involved,” he observes, underscoring the communal spirit that defines Comté production.

A Deeper Dive into Comté: The Jura Ecosystem

To truly appreciate the significance of the Comté Scholarship, it’s essential to understand the intricate ecosystem of the Jura that gives this cheese its unparalleled character. The PDO specifications are not mere guidelines; they are the bedrock of Comté’s identity, ensuring sustainable practices and exceptional quality.

At the heart of Comté are the Montbéliarde cows, a distinctive breed perfectly adapted to the Jura’s mountainous terrain and climate. These cows are milked twice daily, a tradition that begins with the "first squirt" drawn by hand, a small but symbolic gesture connecting the farmer directly to the milk. The milk, fresh from the farm, is then transported a short distance to the local fruitière.

Fruitières are cooperative dairies, often serving several small farms in a village. Here, cheesemakers, known as fruitiers, work their craft. They gauge the texture and firmness of the curd with experienced hands, waiting until it feels like "grains of rice" before it’s ready to be hooped and pressed into massive wheels. This cooperative model is a cornerstone of the Comté tradition, fostering community and shared responsibility among producers.

After initial production, the young Comté wheels are transferred to aging cellars, or caves d’affinage, under the care of affineurs. These specialists oversee the crucial maturation process, carefully turning, rubbing, and monitoring each wheel as it develops its complex flavors and distinctive rind. The aging caves, often ancient and deep underground, provide a naturally controlled environment, mirroring the conditions found in historic fortresses like Fort de Saint-Antoine. The patience and expertise of the affineurs are vital, transforming a fresh curd into a celebrated cheese with a spectrum of nutty, fruity, and savory notes.

This entire process, from pasture to plate, is meticulously governed by the Comté PDO, which ensures everything from cow feed to aging duration meets strict standards. This protective designation safeguards the heritage, quality, and economic viability of the Comté region, making it a model of sustainable, artisanal food production.

The Ripple Effect: Cultivating a Culture of Cheese Appreciation

The impact of these scholarships extends far beyond the individual recipients, creating a powerful ripple effect that enriches the entire American artisan cheese landscape. By empowering mongers with deeper knowledge and authentic experiences, the Comté Cheese Association is cultivating a more informed, enthusiastic, and discerning consumer base.

Oliver is particularly captivated by the less tangible elements of the Jura ecosystem: “the smells, the sounds, a conversation with someone, the way a place feels in a certain moment.” These subtle details, he believes, are what truly enable a cheesemonger to transform mere information into a compelling, resonant story.

“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 anticipates. His ultimate goal is to ignite a similar passion in his customers. “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.” This personal connection is precisely what elevates a transactional exchange into an educational and memorable experience.

Past scholarship recipients have already demonstrated innovative ways to extend these opportunities to their communities. Lissa Knudsen, last year’s Conference Fund recipient, orchestrated public screenings of the acclaimed French film Holy Cow in New Mexico, thoughtfully pairing the cinematic experience with samples of Comté. Similarly, previous Jura scholarship recipients have returned invigorated, organizing special tastings and engaging in deep conversations with customers, sharing their firsthand insights into Comté production and the culture of the Jura.

“For us, the scholarships are also a way to feed the enthusiasm, expertise and passion of the mongers,” Carbonnier reiterates. “We hope they share their greater understanding and knowledge of Comté and PDOs with their customers, colleagues, and their community.” This vision underscores the symbiotic relationship between producers, mongers, and consumers, where shared knowledge fuels a collective appreciation for artisanal craftsmanship.

For Zaski Blazek, the Conference Fund has already achieved precisely this. The experience not only granted them access to the CCP exam and the ACS conference but also gifted them a treasure trove of stories, professional relationships, and deep knowledge that now naturally surfaces in their daily interactions across the cheese counter.

For Michael Oliver, that transformative process is just beginning on the other side of the Atlantic. “What I’m most hoping to bring home isn’t just more knowledge,” he concludes, his voice filled with anticipation. “I want to bring home a feeling.” This pursuit of an intangible, yet profoundly impactful, understanding is the true essence of the Comté scholarships: to connect the intellectual pursuit of cheese knowledge with the visceral, human experience of its origin, creating ambassadors who can truly bring the story of Comté to life for American consumers.

The Future of American Cheese Expertise

The Comté Cheese Association’s dual scholarship programs represent a forward-thinking investment in the vitality and sophistication of the American artisan cheese market. By meticulously crafting opportunities that cater to different stages of a cheesemonger’s career, from aspiring certified professionals to seasoned experts, the association ensures a continuous flow of highly educated and deeply passionate individuals.

These programs do more than just impart facts; they instill a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of food, culture, and community. They transform textbook knowledge into lived experience, enabling cheesemongers to share not just information, but compelling narratives, sensory memories, and a genuine "feeling" for the cheeses they represent. This level of engagement is crucial for fostering an educated consumer base that understands and values the complexities of artisanal products like Comté.

As the American appetite for fine cheeses continues to grow, the role of the knowledgeable cheesemonger becomes ever more critical. They are the frontline educators, storytellers, and curators who bridge the gap between distant farms and local palates. Through initiatives like the Comté scholarships, the industry ensures that these vital links in the supply chain are not just skilled, but truly inspired, guaranteeing a vibrant future for artisan cheese appreciation for years to come.

Mallory Scyphers is culture‘s Executive Content Director and has been with the company since 2018. She lives on Mobile Bay with her husband, two young daughters, one rambunctious golden retriever, and two loyal cats. Her favorite cheeses are alpine styles and mineral-y blues.