Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1512297
64 culturecheesemag.com ENTERTAINING 202 3 STIRRING THE CURD Marissa Mullen, the creative force behind "That Cheese Plate," boasts a significant social media presence with over 1 million followers across platforms. As a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and food stylist, she has established herself as a leading authority in the world of cheese, captivating a global audience with her exquisite creations and innovative "Cheese By Numbers" method. "I believe that my personal role as a cheese influencer is to raise awareness for all that cheese can be—whether that's styled on a plate with pairings, highlighted behind the scenes at a dairy farm, woven into a recipe, or enjoyed as a form of self-care. I love to showcase how cheese is a unifying food, bringing together many different types of people from all backgrounds. I also love to encourage creativity with cheese, teaching people useful skills in the world of food-styling and serving. The 'cheese influencer' has made cheese enjoyment accessible to many, helping boost the awareness of dairy domestically and internationally." What role does the influencer play in the cheese industry? written by Josie Krogh Emilia D'Albero, currently the sales and marketing manager at Formaticum, is an American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional, as well as a Cheesemonger Invitational finalist and winner. She uses her TikTok account, @punkrockparmigiano, as a platform to educate her more than 184K followers. "The digital space has expanded the reach of cheesemongers and educators in an unimaginable way, but it has also expanded our responsibility to our customers and also to our producers. We must use the privilege of these platforms to celebrate the work that cheesemakers, affineurs, and everyone in between have been doing for centuries, and help foster appreciation for these products to keep the cheesemaking tradition alive in this new era of mass-produced commodity cheese. I'm also always very conscious of the fact that cheese can be intimidating for many consumers, and I believe it is the content creator's responsibility to make sure all their viewers feel welcome. Every product I promote on my account is something I personally endorse, consume, and has a place on my counter. The TikTok account is an extension of the work I do every day in the cheese industry, and I'm privileged and grateful to have been able to share that with the 35+ million people who have watched my videos." We invite you to share your thoughts and ideas for future topics at mallory@culturecheesemag.com, and join the conversation on facebook.com/culturecheesemag. In an era defined by pervasive social media presence, "influencers" have emerged as powerful agents in shaping our choices. These individuals, who have harnessed the power of digital platforms to amass large, devoted followings, are arguably able to sway our preferences and purchasing decisions because of an established trust. In this installment of Stirring the Curd, we asked two prominent cheese influencers—Marissa Mullen and Emilia D'Albero—how they view the role of influencers in the cheese industry. PHOTO: Emila: Janee Muha (The Mobile Monger) « TO READ MORE OF THEIR INTERVIEWS, VISIT CULTURECHEESEMAG.COM »