When we heard that we had an alum who was trying to become a Cheese Master we just had to find out more!
India Bosden (LHS 2014) developed a love for Food and Nutrition at LHS so much so that she went on to study the subject at Harper Adams University. During her course she did a placement as a cheese buyer with Leicestershire Handmade Cheese Company in Market Bosworth. India described this as a great opportunity to network and get a taste for cheese!
After graduating, she then returned to work at Norths, her family-run deli in Rothley.
However, India was keen to push herself further, so applied and successfully secured a job as a cheese specialist at Cropwell Bishop Creamery, known for its Stilton and blue cheese. When asked what her role entails, she jokingly replied, “I eat cheese all day”, and of course her favourite cheese had to be Stilton!
However, India is studying with the Academy of Cheese and her ultimate aim is to become a Cheese Master. This involves lots of studying and exams to progress through the four levels of certification: Associate, Member, Fellow and Master. Currently, India has achieved Member status, having completed a two day course in Norfolk. This involved classes delivered by other cheese specialists and hands-on cheese making sessions, followed by exams covering ten modules. Her next goal is to become a Fellow, of which there are only twelve in total across the UK!
One of her exciting and significant responsibilities is personally selecting the Stilton for the King’s Christmas Tea!
Looking back at her time at LHS, India extends her thanks to Mrs Riley, the Food and Nutrition teacher. When selecting her A-levels, Food and Nutrition was not an option. However, Mrs Riley recognised India’s obvious passion for the subject and arranged for her to study it with the year below and gave her extra lessons during lunch times. Ultimately Mrs Riley inspired and enabled her to pursue a career in food.
