About
Essence
Our speciality is farmhouse and artisan cheese.
We source cheeses that are crafted by the masters of cheesemaking craft who really care about the quality of their milk, traditional cheesemaking and sustainability.
Our mission is to inspire wholesome and joyful living - one person, one fine cheese, one occasion at a time.
We believe that fine cheese is good for you. It is good for your body and good for your soul.
The founder
Our business, and our cheese selection, are inspired by the travels and expertise of Svetlana, our founder.
Previously the owner of The Guid Cheese Shop in St. Andrews, Scotland (where she earned the nickname “the cheese lady”), Svetlana has been developing this love affair with fine cheese for nearly 20 years.
She has learned from the best cheese retailers, traditional cheesemakers and maturers in the trade.
Svetlana has gone on to spread her passion for cheese through tasting events and masterclasses and write two books on cheese. Her latest book "Cheese Connoisseur's Handbook" launched in 2021 and became an instant Amazon best-seller!
Scroll to see Svetlana's cheese journey.
The Cheese Lady on Fine Cheese
"Proper cheese is the expression of its terroir, in the same way as great wines are. It’s made up of nutritious and flavoursome milk sourced from happy and healthy animals, skilful cheesemaking, and very importantly, careful affinage; it exudes local history, traditions, and culture.
An outstanding cheese married with an equally fine wine is a truly wonderful sensory experience. I love talking to people about this "affordable luxury", tasting cheeses and wines with them, sharing my knowledge about their origins and production methods. The most enriching and amazing part of what I do is to see people learn to appreciate fine cheeses and become lifetime aficionados."
2017 - present
Founder/CEO at The Cheese Lady Limited
"Scottish Business Woman of the Year" Winner at the National Business Women's Awards, 2023
"Scotland Regional Winner" at the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards, 2022
Author of "Cheese Connoisseur's Handbook"
Speaker at cheese tasting events (live and Zoom)
Cheese Judge at the Royal Highland Show, International Cheese Awards, World Cheese Awards
2014 - 2017
Freelance cheese and wine consultant specialising in cheese and wine tastings
Wine and Spirit Education Trust Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits (QCF), Pass with Merit
2010 - 2014
Founder and proprietor of The Guid Cheese Shop in St Andrews, Scotland
Cheese Judge at the World Cheese Awards
2009 - 2010
Cheesemaker at a farm in Scotland. Made Cheshire-style cheese by hand using traditional methods
Author of "Cheese Connoiseur's Handbook" (in Russian)
2006 - 2009
Affinage (cheese maturation) intern at Herve Mons's cheese caves in France
Cheesesmonger, affineur and tasting events intern at Murray's Cheese Shop in New York City. Retailed over 300 cheese varieties of cheese on the daily basis, matured cheese in 5 underground caves, assisted at numerous cheese and wine tasting and paring events
