the map village street editors

Few would argue that a good deli should offer a good selection of both imported and local cheeses; however, this is something that most take for granted. As recently as the 1980s our choices were few and far between and it was the dramatic lack of quality cheese available that inspired UK immigrant, Will Studd to set about changing the Australian cheese industry for the better. Once referred to as a cheese terrorist, his tireless efforts at the forefront of the industry to promote, educate and supply Australia with traditional, high-quality imported and local cheeses has well and truly paid off. His battles with local authorities have raged quietly throughout the years over the ban on the sale and importation of unpasteurised cheeses. The most notorious taking place in 2003 when he was ordered to bury over 80 kg of the French Blue cheese, Roquefort, specifically brought into the country to test the existing, flimsy laws. Driven to its burial site in a black hearse covered in the French flag, the spectacle made headlines worldwide and eventually brought about the relaxation of the laws.

In 2002, the French Government awarded Will the Ordre du Mérite Agricole for his defence of traditional raw milk cheese. He is also recognised by France’s prestigious Guilde des Fromagers as a Maître Fromager (Master of Cheese) and is the guild’s sole ‘ambassadeur’. The author of two award-winning books, and executive producer and presenter of Cheese Slices, the world’s only television series focused on both international artisan and traditional handmade cheeses. Will is also the founding director of Fromagent Australia and Calendar Cheese Company.

Recently here in Brisbane to promote his latest book Cheese Slices, it was evident that his passion and dedication to the industry are in still full swing. As are many Australian cheese enthusiasts, Will eagerly awaits the release of Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s review of raw milk cheese production in Australia, expected some time in the near future.