Is fine cheese your passion? Do you dream of owning your own cheese shop, selling artisan cheeses from local producers and the world's greatest cheesemakers? Do you want to add a cheese counter to an existing deli or restaurant? Come to Portland, Oregon, for an intensive, five-day seminar in how to plan, merchandise, stock, finance, run and profit from a cheese shop.

Taught by a team of instructors with extensive experience in specialty foods and small business, the course will cover a number of topics on the business and craft of becoming a cheesemonger, including (but not limited to):

• business planning for small retailers
• understanding and communicating cheese styles
• honing your tasting skills
• telling the story of cheese to your customers
• the retail environment: display, aging and storage
• alternative profit channels for retailers
• finances, taxes and real estate issues for small food retailers
• working with cheese distributors
• buying directly with farmers and producers
• publicity and marketing for small food businesses
• pairing cheeses with beer and wine
• using the internet to enhance your business

Our instructors will cover these topics and more in a dynamic, participatory teaching style in morning through evening sessions. The seminar will include special meals, a guided visit to the nationally renowned Portland Farmers Market (focusing on local cheesemakers, of course), lots of tasting of the world's finest cheeses, and tours of Portland-area specialty food retailers.

What's more, you'll get to know a group of like-minded entrepreneurs who can become the nexus of a knowledgeable support group for your growing business. The seminar is limited to 24 participants.

Becoming a Cheesemonger will be based at the beautiful University of Portland campus on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River. The course fee includes accommodations in University of Portland’s comfortable dorms.

2009 dates to be announced.