Ramsey is 13 and he is getting an early start at becoming a master home cheesemaker. He recently completed his first cheese – Bleu d’Auvergne, one of Jim Wallace’s recipes at our website, cheesemaking.com. This is considered an advanced recipe.
He was originally going to make cheese for a French project at school, but it took too long to research and make in time, so he did it for fun instead.
His father told us,
“He is a very determined boy for his age. Once he gets a project in his mind, he wants to perfect it. When he found this recipe I pointed out that it’s says at the beginning, that this recipe is advanced and you should have experience with other cheese making. He wanted to start at the top though. I warned him, but he persisted and came out successful!”
He bought his milk from the grocery down the street. Because it was pasteurized, he added calcium chloride to the milk.
When he was done making the cheese, he had a question so he wrote to Jim (jim@cheesemaking.com), attaching a picture to his email.
He was concerned that mold was forming on the surface after only one week of ripening. Jim assured him that this was normal and that his cheese was looking good.
During the course of their exchange, Ramsey shared his intentions,
“I am making the cheese for fun but I may turn it into a business and sell it at the farmer’s market. I want to be able to make it into a profitable business and to learn to make all different types of cheeses from around the world.”
He also likes to cook other things like pizza, and cassoulet.
Movies by Scarlett:
Unfortunately, we couldn’t embed the movies, but the links are here along with a few screenshots from each one:
We’ll be keeping up with Ramsey’s progress and we will let you know when you can buy his cheese.
Eva De Nino says
Hi Ramsey, this is Ms. Eva De Nino and I was your Kindergarten teacher, not sure if you remember me, probably not, you were only 4! I follow the Toronto Waldorf School on Instagram and I saw this post. What an amazing achievement! You took on this task and you achieved great success, good for you! This is really amazing. I love cheese and I always have some in my house, if you start selling your cheese I will definitely buy some. Keep up the excellent work! Way to go Ramsey!
Ms. Eva
VV says
Nice job Ramsey! Keep it up!
Ilda Costa-Sarnicki says
Ramsey, I’m so happy to learn there’s another emerging cheese maker in our province, especially at your age! I also understand your joy in making cassoulet and pizza. Loving Ricki’s idea for a cheesemaking club for kids. Your moves in your quasi movies indicate so much potential. When I’m at an age when I can’t make my own cheese at home, I want to know who to go to!
I love how you divided your salt around the cheese. I’ll be adopting that idea from you. Thank you! And thank you for your enthusiasm and love for this most awesome hobby. I wish your dream for making this more than a hobby comes true!
Finally, I hope you know how lucky you are that you have Scarlett documenting your work pictorially. It’s quite difficult to take photos or videos of each step while you are creating the cheese. The hand washing and keeping everything clean while reaching for the camera is so much extra work. Congratulations to both of you!
Michele S says
Wow! Awesome job!! Here I’m in my 50’s and slowly working my way to gain confidence!! I’ve only mastered Greek yogurt and Ricotta!!
Been wanting to learn to make various cheeses so I may enjoy them again outside of a nibble. Strict
Sodium issues! Blue cheese is my favorite!! I’m very envious of you!! Go forth & concur the Cheese World you got this!
Mary Jo Clark says
Fantastic! Congratulations Ramsey. You certainly are determined and focused and we can all attest to that. What a great “hobby”. Can’t wait to be able to buy your cheese! (and awesome filming too!)
Ms. Clark
Kevin Enright says
Ricki,
You have inspired me to expand my Cheese making to new varieties !! Keep up the good work !
Ms Digby says
As one of Ramsay’s teachers, I can attest to his ability to become completely absorbed in a task, even at a young age. I taught him pottery and he would focus on a detailed task for over an hour at a time.
Way to go Cheese Champ!
Carole Kilmartin says
Excellent Ramsey….what an undertaking. I have a young grand-daughter who loves to cook too….albeit never made cheese……maybe you two should be introduced to each other………lol
Georgiana, Carlos, Marco and Angelo says
Absolutely incredible Ramsey!!! Everything you put your mind to you accomplish and it’s a pleasure following your projects. Keep it up!
Robyn says
Congratulations Ramsey! Wish I could try it! I admire your persistence!
Spence says
Way to go Ramsey! You stole my back up fridge, but this fantastic cheese is worth it!
Julie Folino says
Ramsey!
This is incredible.
I am so proud of you! Please take lots of pictures and videos for us to share with the class when we return.
Bravo Ramsey!
Ms. Folino
Brenda says
I could not be more proud of my grandson, Ramsey. He is a very special boy to have undertaken this cheese making. He is very focused and determined and to have made this cheese without any prior experience is amazing. I can’t wait to see what Ramsey will continue to accomplish in the future.
A very proud Nana.
Ricki Carroll says
Wow Ramsey, you just dove right in, what a delightful gift. I applaud you for doing this for the fun of it, and delving into it so deeply. I love to see the ancient art of cheese making being passed on to future generations. You make me very proud to have started this education so long ago. Thank you for being willing to share your adventure with our worldwide cheese making family, I’m sure other young adults will be impressed. Maybe you could even start a cheese making club for kids, it would be so exciting. No matter where your adventures bring you in the future, keep in touch, keep having fun and once again congratulations on your new skills.
In Peace, Love and Cheese,
Ricki