Meet Cassie

Being a cheese steward has its advantages. Namely, you get to try hundreds of different cheeses from all over the world.

Much like wine, there are subtle differences in cheese that make each unique. That variety happens at the hand of the cheesemaker and comes from the diet consumed by animals that produce the milk used to make the cheese. And it’s a process Willamette Cheese Steward Cassie Stockton finds fascinating.

Often, customers will ask her questions about a particular cheese – what kind of wine or beer to pair it with, where it comes from, how it’s produced, how to use it for cooking. And it’s her job to answer those questions.

Growing up in rural Illinois in “corn country,” Cassie and her family cooked often, sometimes just for fun, she says. So charting a career in the world of food came naturally.

In the kitchen, she does a lot of experimenting, enjoys trying new recipes and loves sharing what she’s learned. As our dedicated cheese blogger, you’ll find many recipes, pairings and cheese plate suggestions that can help you when you’re stumped or seeking inspiration. Be sure to visit her blog.

Cassie gets much of her motivation and ongoing education comes from traveling up and down the West Coast to visit cheesemakers and cheese shops. She also participates in classes and training sessions coordinated by Market of Choice and takes that knowledge back to our customers.

As co-steward of the largest cheese shop in the Market of Choice family, Cassie carries hundreds of varieties for customers to choose from.

“Because we have a lot of freedom, we’re able to order all kinds of cheeses from near and far. “If a customer is looking for something and they can’t find it, I can usually bring it in,” she says.

In addition to cooking, Cassie enjoys hiking, biking, painting, doing crafts and spending time with her family.