Celebrating a year of Moondarra & Tarago Cheese

WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH

IMAGES: MARCEL AUCAR

Over the past year, I’ve absolutely loved getting to know Moondarra Cheese and Tarago Cheese and sharing everything I’ve learnt along the way. Supporting Australian brands and Australian businesses has always held a very special place in my heart. Being an ambassador for this wonderful Victorian brand has taught me quite a few things; not just about cheese, but about business, passion, perseverance, and the people behind the products we bring into our homes.

There’s something rather magical about learning where a journey began. Who was there at the start? What was the original idea? What problem were they trying to solve? And how did that little idea grow into the business it is today? I love the nitty-gritty of those stories. The family businesses, the passion projects that slowly became full-time enterprises, the happy accidents, the hard work and all the little decisions along the way. As a business owner myself, I find these journeys incredibly relatable. They comfort me, inspire me and remind me that every successful business starts somewhere. And I’m almost certain this story will inspire you too. Watch the interview with the founder, Matt, now.

Cheese has always had a place at my table

Anyone who knows me knows just how much I love gathering people together. Whether it’s an intimate dinner at home, a big celebration, or a beautifully styled event, I love creating a table that makes people want to sit down, stay awhile, and enjoy themselves. And on every table I create, cheese nearly always plays a starring role.

Why? Because cheese has this wonderful ability to bring people together. It can be approachable yet indulgent, simple yet sophisticated, and it is always a fabulous conversation starter. Of course, there’s the flavour, but for me, there’s also the visual feast. A beautiful board piled high with different cheeses, fruit, crackers, nuts and little bowls of something delicious is almost an invitation in itself. And let’s be honest, no dinner party is complete without that moment when the cheese comes out, and everyone settles in for just one more little taste. The conversation lingers, another glass of wine is poured, and nobody seems particularly interested in going home. So getting to know Moondarra Cheese and Tarago Cheese hasn’t just been about the products they make. It’s celebrating a way of life that values connection, generosity, craftsmanship, and the joy of sharing something truly delicious.

From the paddock to the Cheesemaking room…

There’s one thing about learning a business's history, and another entirely about walking the land where it all begins. Last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Tarago Cheese Factory in South Gippsland, spending the day wandering through green paddocks, meeting the animals and taking in that beautiful rolling countryside. There was something so lovely about being out in the fresh country air, watching the animals graze and seeing the landscape that is such an important part of the story. Inside the factory, I got to see the team at work and, much to my delight, even had a go myself! Meeting the people behind the business and seeing the care, knowledge and passion they bring to their work was such a wonderful experience. We often see only the finished product, but there’s an entire story behind it. Experiencing the farm, meeting the people and seeing where it all begins gave me a completely new appreciation for the cheese that eventually makes its way onto my table. I came home with more than just a new appreciation for Tarago cheese; I came home feeling connected to the people, the place and the story behind it. And, of course, I came home with plenty of ideas for my next cheese board!

Bringing the Cheese home!

Working with Moondarra Cheese and Tarago Cheese has, unsurprisingly, led to a mountain of recipe ideas! I absolutely love creating a spectacular cheese board, but these cheeses are so versatile. They can become the hero of a dinner party, a simple lunch, a beautiful starter or just a delicious little something to enjoy at the end of the day. Over the past year, I’ve had so much fun discovering different ways to serve and style these cheeses, from entertaining ideas and party platters to simple recipes anyone can recreate at home. And that’s exactly what I want to share with you. I’ve put together a collection of cheese recipes, serving tips, styling ideas and little tricks I’ve picked up along the way. It’s the sort of collection I would keep close at hand whenever I’m entertaining.

So, download the PDF, pop it somewhere handy and take a little bit of what I’ve learnt with you into your own kitchen. Because if there’s one thing I’ve discovered during my time with Moondarra Cheese and Tarago Cheese, it’s that good cheese is about so much more than what’s on the plate. It’s about the land, the people, the stories, the craftsmanship, and ultimately, bringing people together around a table.

And really, isn’t that what good food is all about?