Becoming a Master Cheesemaker | Sartori Cheese®

Cheese wheels and a wedge sit on a table with a person standing behind it, with a stone wall and arched doorway in the background.

Jeremy Werdeo revealed that never in his wildest dreams did he think he would become a Master Cheesemaker. Yet, in April of 2025, Jeremy was awarded the prestigious title, making him the third Master Cheesemaker at Sartori. This achievement, while a dream come true for Jeremy, is also a testament to his 25-year-long commitment to the industry and the art of cheesemaking.

Jeremy’s journey with Sartori began back in 2002, when he was hired for a temporary position packaging 40-pound blocks of cheese. Little did he know that this temporary role would be the beginning of a rewarding career. Since then, he has transitioned from packaging to cheesemaking, where he has worked to develop the deep knowledge needed to take Sartori’s cheeses from good to great.

“When I started making cheese I thought, ‘This isn’t that hard.’ I realized very quickly that was not the case,” Jeremy explained. “Any changes you make to what you are trying to achieve will be affected elsewhere in the process and in the final product.”

Beyond the honor of being named a Master Cheesemaker, Jeremy’s career has been marked with numerous accomplishments, including recent first and second place wins at the Wisconsin State Fair for Sartori’s Farmhouse and Old World cheddars.

A top-down image of Sartori cheddar cheeses surrounded by various flavor cues.

“Wisconsin has a rich history of cheddar cheesemakers, so to be mentioned amongst the many State Fair winners over the years is quite an honor,” Jeremy said.

With accolades like these, Jeremy holds a special place in his heart for Sartori’s award-winning Parmesan and cheddars, which also happen to be the two varieties of cheese he’s certified in as a cheesemaker. His passion for these specific cheeses is fueled by the diverse production methods and the wide array of flavor profiles that cheesemakers can achieve.

As he takes on the title of Master Cheesemaker, Jeremy remains committed to pushing innovation within the industry and to sharing his knowledge with future generations.

“Cheesemaking is becoming more and more about the next new thing,” said Jeremy. “I’m looking forward to bringing some ideas I have to fruition, whether it’s a new flavor, process improvement or passing the skills along to new cheesemakers,” Jeremy shared.

To stay up to date on what Jeremy and the Sartori team are up to, visit our website and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.