#26: Penny Lawson, Penny's Cheese Shop (Sydney, NSW)

Blessed may be the cheesemakers but let's not forget the cheese mongers who play an important role in advocating the artisan cheese community. Today we catch up with the magnificent Penny Lawson, a self confessed avid cheese lover and owner of Potts Point’s favourite fromagerie, Penny’s Cheese Shop. Penny has become a staple in the Australian cheese landscape having been in the industry for over 20 years. She also works as a cheese judge with the Australian Specialty Cheesemakers' Association and for those of you who’ve joined us at the Festivals, you would have seen her smiling facce behind many a stand helping out and spreading the good cheese word. We finally got a chance to sit down and chat all things especially about the evolution of the Australian cheese, judging cheese, the important and vital role of the cheesemonger plays, as a provider, educator and advocate to cheese lovers, and what we can all do to support our growing cheese industry. I should say as well, that for the entire month of August, we’re shining an even bigger spotlight on Aussie Artisans to celebrate #aussieartisanweek which is puled together by our mates at Pepe Saya. That week is August 16-22, 2021. Supporting local artisans is paramount right now especially as NSW continues its difficult lockdown and Victoria and South Australia just come out of theirs. Where you spend your food dollars really does make a difference. Let’s get into it.