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Certificate for Module (Foundation Study in Cheese Appreciation – Level 1 Associate Certification)
證書(單元 : 芝士初級鑑賞 - 第一級助理證書)

Course Code
HT051A
Credit
6
Study mode
Part-time
Start Date
To be advised
Duration
30 hours
Language
English, supplemented with Cantonese
Course Fee
HK$12,600
Enquiries
2867 8324 / 2867 8479
2861 0278
foodandbeverage@hkuspace.hku.hk
How to Apply
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How to Apply

Highlights

The programme is suitable for cheese enthusiasts, hospitality professionals, and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of cheese in a practical, applied and engaging learning environment.
 

This programme is designed to equip students with foundational understanding and practical skills in cheese appreciation. Students will explore the origins, production processes, classification systems, and sensory evaluation of cheese. The programme includes guided tastings of 25 iconic cheeses, beverage pairing exercises, and instruction on cheese labelling and nutritional content. Moreover, students will also gain exposure to cheese presentation techniques, observe culinary applications through a chef-led demonstration, and participate in a hands-on cheesemaking workshop and a cheese factory visit.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of the programme, students should be able to

  • describe key ingredients and major procedures in cheesemaking and maturation for hard and soft cheeses;
  • describe what the terms cheese grading, maturation and affinage mean and the impact they have on product quality;
  • describe the stages involved from production to retail, in a hygienic way to maintain the product quality;
  • list the different types of packaging for cheese and the tools to correctly cut cheeses;
  • identify 25 cheeses by name, Make/Post-Make class, species of milking animal, protected status, country/region of origin and appearance; and
  • use the structured approach to tasting cheese sheet to record tasting notes.

Programme Details

This is a face-to-face delivery programme of 30 hours.

Syllabus

1

Introduction to cheese 

  • What is cheese?
  • Main ingredients of cheese and their purposes
  • Nutritional value of cheese
  • Differences between large scale and artisan production of cheese 
2

Milk production and cheesemaking

  • Composition of milk
  • How is milk produced?
  • History of cheesemaking
  • Cheesemaking – Make / Post-Make (MPM) Model
  • Steps in cheesemaking and maturation
  • Cheese classification
3

Maturing, affinage and grading

  • Degree of ripeness
  • Cheese grading and its relevance
  • Role of maturation and affinage in adding value to the produce
  • Techniques to accelerate and decelerate ripening in soft mould-ripened cheeses
4

Buying and distribution

  • How is cheese bought and transported?
  • Importance of offering an appropriate range of cheeses for a cheese board
  • Regulations and good practices in selling cheese across countries
5

Presenting and serving

  • Selecting and using appropriate packaging to wrap and re-wrap cheese
  • Cutting cheese by using appropriate tools
  • Importance of caring for, cutting and serving cheeses appropriate to the variety
  • Safe handling of cheese
6

Communicating about cheese

  • Labelling and key descriptors of cheese (e.g. country of origin, species of milking animal, vegetarian/animal rennet, raw/pasteurised milk, MPM model, protected status, age)
  • Difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates
7

Tasting techniques for cheese

  • Structured approach to tasting cheese, using the ‘Flavour Trees’ classification system (simple and complex)
  • Pre-taste assessment
  • Taste assessment: identifying simple and complex flavours by writing tasting notes (including texture, consistency, color)
  • Principles of pairing cheese with different types of beverages

Assessment and award

Type of Assessment Description Weighting
Online Test 30 Multiple Choice Questions in 30 minutes 70%
Class Exercise

Sensory assessment of three types of cheeses, 20 minutes each assessment

(Three exercises (10% each) on tasting note writing)

 30%
    Total 100%

Note: Students may apply to resit the Test if they are unsuccessful, subject to a fee.

Upon successful completion of the programme, students who have passed the assessment with attendance no less than 70% will be awarded a "Certificate for Module (Foundation Study in Cheese Appreciation – Level 1 Associate Certification)" within the HKU system through HKU SPACE.

Graduates of this programme with a mark of 24 out of 30 marks attained in Online Test will be awarded the “Associate Certification” by the Academy of Cheese.

Venue

Class Details

Upcoming Classes

Application Code Date Time Venue Application Deadline
--- June 2026 --- --- ---
  •  The programme team reserves the right to change the above timetable if necessary.
  • All classes are subject to sufficient enrolment.

Fee

Course Fee
  • HK$12,600

Entry Requirements

Applicants shall be aged at least 18 years or above, and do not have any health problems that make them unfit for cheese and alcoholic drinks.

Apply

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method
Payment Method
1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay Or Alipay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

2. Cheque Or Bank draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

  • bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
  • or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of personal information and payment sent by mail.
3. VISA/Mastercard

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or Mastercard, including the “HKU SPACE Mastercard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE Mastercard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

4. Online Payment

Online application / enrolment is offered for most open admission courses (enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes. Application fees and course fees of these programmes/courses can be settled by using "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard. In addition to the aforesaid online payment channels, new and continuing students of award-bearing programmes with available online service, they may also pay their course fees by Online WeChat Pay, Online Alipay or Faster Payment System (FPS). Please refer to Enrolment Methods - Online Enrolment  for details.

Notes

  • If the programme/course is starting within five working days, application by post is not recommended to avoid any delays. Applicants are advised to enrol in person at HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres and avoid making cheque payment under this circumstance.

  • Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, Alipay, cheque, FPS or PPS by Internet will be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will be reimbursed to the credit card account used for payment. 

  • In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
  • Fees and places on courses cannot be transferrable from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on each approved transfer.
  • HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment, receipt, or personal information sent by mail.
  • For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.
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