Keith is the Cheesemaker and Co-founder of Wm. Cofield Cheesemakers in Sebastopol. Dedicated to making British-inspired cheese from organic Sonoma County milk, Cofield has been in production for just over 3 years. Prior to that, Keith was the founder and is still managing partner of Alemar Cheese, based In Minnesota.

Tarush is the co-founder of Sach Foods- a mission-driven company featuring the world’s first organic, artisanal, and flavored paneer, a firm, fresh cheese with a creamy texture. Tarush Agarwal co-founded Sach Foods in 2019 along with his wife/partner, Jasleen. They were inspired and motivated by their rich cultural heritage as first-generation Indian immigrants. At Sach, Tarush fosters company growth through innovative distribution partnerships and a savvy direct-to-consumer strategy. In a relatively short period of time, Tarush has taken their small batch paneer concept from a kitchen to over 1000 stores while partnering with some of the nations finest retailers including Whole Foods, Safeway and others. Prior to starting Sach, Tarush worked in media and technology for over a decade; he has held leadership and management positions at various companies including Walt Disney

Kelley is the Marketing Communications Manager for sister brands Marin French Cheese Co., Laura Chenel, and St. Benoit Creamery. She has been in the food and hospitality industry for about 10 years and has been involved in the cheese community for much of that time. She has traveled both domestically and internationally, visiting dairies, cheesemakers, and specialty shops across borders. In her consumer-facing role she gets to share her passion for artisan cheese and dairy through digital and print outlets, in-person events, and community outreach. She is a Northern California native who loves bringing people together over good food and drinks.

Growing up in Hilmar, CA, Lindsey has always had a special place in her heart for the dairy industry, especially for cheese. She attended Cal Poly where she studied Dairy Science. Lindsey started working at Central Coast Creamery in Paso Robles, CA, while still attending Cal Poly. Upon graduating, she became their first full-time employee. Seven years later she is now the production manager/cheesemaker at Central Coast Creamery.

My name is Karen Sims, I am an ACS Certified Cheese Professional®. My career has spanned over 30 years in distribution and the retail industry. I currently work for Tony’s Fine Foods, located in West Sacramento as an Inside Category Specialists, focusing on Cheese and Specialty items. I grew up in Marin county where I spent most of my life until taking my role with Tony’s over 14 years ago. My passion for cheese developed early in my career and has led me down an amazing path that I continue to grow and enjoy every day.