Robert Wadzinski
Head Cheesemaker, Maytag Dairy Farms, Newton
The great-grandchild of Polish immigrants who came to the United States in the late 19th century, Robert Wadzinski grew up in central Wisconsin. He is a third-generation cheese maker and learned his trade as a child working in his father’s and grandfather’s business, which started in 1917. According to Robert, his whole family—uncles, aunts, and cousins—were all involved with making cheese, a food that figures prominently at family reunions.
Robert learned to make a variety of cheese, including American and cheddar, as well as Colby, provolone, mozzarella, queso blanco, and ricotta. He didn’t start making blue cheese until 2001, while he was working in Omaha. He then interviewed for a position at Maytag Dairy Farms, and is now their head cheese maker, part of the team that makes the internationally known Maytag Blue Cheese.
Contact: Robert Wadzinski, Maytag Dairy Farms, 800-247-2458, www.maytagdairyfarms.com