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Course Description

With Latin Americans being the biggest minority in the US and the Latino population in Canada steady growing, Latin American cheeses are showing in most groceries in America. Many cheese varieties in this region are fresh and high pH, presenting a food safety challenge for cheesemakers.  This 3-day master class will focus in the manufacture of different Latin American cheese varieties and technologies representing 4 cheese varieties Fresh cheese, lactic acid, pasta filata and frying cheese. Students will discuss some of the most popular Latin American cheeses and compare cheese equivalents in different countries, expected sensorial profile and uses. While working on the pilot plant students will learn hand on and from industry experts about the manufacture of different varieties and will learn how to care for this type of cheese during manufacture, ripening and storage while producing safe cheese that appeals to the Latin American population in North America. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to: 

  1. Describe the most common Latin American cheese varieties in terms of its classification, names in different regions, uses and sensorial profile in class discussions. 
  2. Assess the importance of cheese composition and natural microbiota in cheese development of these varieties through class discussions; 
  3. Manufacture with guidance and within a team a Latin American cheese variety and 
  4. Recommend adequate ripening, packaging and storage parameters for different cheese varieties through a home assignment. 
     

Additional Requirements

Pre-Requisite(s):

None. However, previous knowledge of basic microbiology principles and dairy chemistry are desired. Introduction To Cheese Technology is a recommended course to precede this course.

Assessment

Assessment Item Weight Learning Outcomes
Quizzes (1) 20% 1-5
Written Assignments (1) 40% 1-5
Cheese Making  40% 3-4
Total 100%  

 

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

Technical Requirements

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*Course details are subject to change.

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Section Title
Latin American Cheese
Type
In-Person
Days
Tuesday, Wednesday
Time
8:30AM to 5:00PM
Dates
November 03, 2026 to November 04, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
16.0
Location
  • Guelph
Delivery Options
In-Person  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition Fee $1,590.00

Section Notes

Instructor: Dr. Mary Ann Ferrer

Mary Ann has been working in the food science area for more than 25 years in both academia and industry combined. She obtained her MSc from University of Zulia, Venezuela and PhD from University of Guelph. Her graduate studies’ topics were dairy chemistry and processing, mostly dealing with membrane systems and its effects on dairy chemistry and physics and its coagulation properties. Mary Ann has authored book chapters, research projects in cheese science and co-created the Cheese Makers Certificate. She is a very active leader in the Cheese Industry.

For any questions about the course, please contact fsevents@uoguelph.ca

For questions about the registration process, please contact register@uoguelph.ca

Course Cancellations and Postponements

Food Science reserves the right to change or cancel a course at any time. When it is necessary to cancel or postpone a course, Food Science will make every effort to notify all students. It is important that you provide your full contact information including an email address when registering. In such cases, the paid course fee(s) will be refunded.

Food Science’s liability is limited to the reimbursement of paid course fee(s). Food Science will not be responsible for travel or other related expenses incurred by the registrant.

Please note:

A full refund less a $75 Administration Fee will be issued provided a drop request is received prior to October 3, 2026.

No refunds available after October 3, 2026.

Registration closes November 1, 2026.

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