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Monday at 05:00 pm - 05:45 pm

Cutting the Curd

Featuring interviews with notable cheesemakers, cheesemongers, and cheese-lovers, Cutting the Curd is an informative, occasionally irreverent, but always cheesy look at the curdy, the nerdy, and the downright funky world of artisan cheese.

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Engineered by HRN Staff

Produced by Cara Warren

Hosted by

Cara Warren

Born and bred in Brooklyn, Cara is a CCP (certified cheese professional) and CCSE (certified cheese sensory expert) aka super curd nerd. With over 15 years of experience from Murray’s Cheese to current Director of East Coast Sales for the French dairy cooperative, Isigny Ste. Mere, she knows her cheese! Cara particularly relishes the opportunity to pair cheeses with delicious craft brews. Cara is an alumni of Brooklyn College with a Bachelor in Television & Radio. After graduating she went on to complete a media fellowship with the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS), won by national competition, at IRTS she was placed at CBS Radio. Starting now at Heritage Radio Network Cara is working again with both her passions of cheese and radio and she can’t wait to learn the whey!

Diane Stemple

In 2001, after many years of loving cheese from afar, Diane Stemple went to work at Artisanal Bistro & Fromagerie, one lunch shift per week. After two years, she followed many colleagues to work behind the counter at Murray’s Cheese shop in Greenwich Village, where she first furthered her knowledge and then helped teach and train others. She then worked with Debra Dickerson at 3D Cheese, representing Neal’s Yard Dairy, Jasper Hill, Redwood Hill and Avonlea Cheese from 2007 to 2009. After that she has continued to represent the Cellars at Jasper Hill, and more recently began hosting Cutting the Curd for cheese pal Anne Saxelby, and now does monthly book episodes on the show. Diane is also a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Port Washington and Williamsburg where she lives.

Carlos Yescas

  Carlos Yescas is a cheese scholar and book author. He is the co-founder of Lactography in Mexico, the first artisanal cheese distributor in his country. He serves as the Program Director of the Oldways Cheese Coalition, a US-based non-profit promoting artisanal cheese and protecting traditional cheesemaking practices. He created the LACTEO Network a consulting firm supporting cheese producers and retailers in Latin America. Since 2009, Carlos has served as a supreme judge of the World Cheese Awards. He divides his time between England and the United States. 

Jessica Kesselman

Jessica Kesselman is a food activist and loves to connect people through food from farm to table, from producer to consumer. She has been in the food industry over a decade starting as cheesemonger and worked her way up to executive account manager for a specialty food brokerage firm. Her expertise includes developing partnerships with community organizations and municipal bodies; she has established a subsidized CSA shares program for Hudson River Health Care, and Farm to School initiatives. One of her proudest achievements was coordinating local and state agriculture policy campaigns with elected officials and regional non-profit organizations to promote and preserve small farms in suburban districts and increase access to local agriculture. Jessica's passion for podcasting has led her to become a guest host for the Cutting the Curd, where she is eager to share and learn about developing food policies and activism in relation to cheese.

Latest Episodes

The Relationship between Bread and Cheese ft. Kingston Bread

Episode 459, Aired: June 21, 2021

On today's episode, Cara will discuss with Aaron Quint co-owner and head food guy at Kingston Bread and Bar, his bread making skills and how his love for cheese helps him create the ultimate pairings bread and cheese combos. Crunchy bread with gooey cheese... nom nom. Heritage Radio Network is a...

Consider Bardwell - 'The Comeback Kid'

Episode 458, Aired: June 8, 2021

On today's episode Cara interviews Angela Miller, who is the co-owner of Consider Bardwell Farm based in West Pawlet, Vermont. The creamery has gone through a full relaunch since it's voluntary food safety recall. But restarting cheese production is nothing new to co-owner Angela Miller - city...

A Conversation with Hannah Howard

Episode 457, Aired: May 24, 2021

E-Commerce sales for cheese are way up. In-store sampling programs are on pause. Conversations, written descriptions, and editorial copy are making the sale. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cutting the Curd by becoming a member! Cutting the Curd is...

What's new at Cowgirl Creamery?

Episode 456, Aired: May 20, 2021

Cara interviews Amanda Parker about her new role as Managing Director of Cowgirl Creamery. Tune in for a discussion about what challenges arise when taking on a legacy creamery and what's next under Amanda's direction in this leadership role. Photo Courtesy of Cowgirl Creamery and Amanda Parker...

Meet The Cheese Culture Coalition

Episode 455, Aired: May 10, 2021

Today Carlos welcomes three incredible women working to bring diversity to the Cheese industry. The Cheese Culture Coalition's mission is to promote equity and inclusion within the cheese industry by empowering BIPOC communities through education. We welcome Whitney Roberts (President), Agela...

Diane interviews Alexandra Jones

Episode 454, Aired: May 3, 2021

Here Diane will discuss Alexandra's new book "Stuff every cheese lover should know." From the basics of what cheese is to terms every cheese lover should know, how to host a cheese tasting, how to make the ultimate grilled cheese, and much more! Image courtesy of Alexandra Jones. Heritage Radio...

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