What Online Tastings and Cheese Education Does Paxton & Whitfield Offer?

Paxton & Whitfield runs two distinct learning tracks: a monthly online tasting series open to anyone who books, and a structured Level One cheese course delivered with The Academy of Cheese, which the company describes as available both as in-person events and through its Cheese Academy. If you want a low-commitment introduction to tasting cheese with guidance, the online tastings are the entry point; if you want a recognised qualification-style course, the Level One route is the one to look at.

Monthly Online Tastings

The site states that each month Paxton & Whitfield holds an online tasting built around a different theme. That structure matters for choosing a session: the theme, not the format, is what changes from month to month, so the sensible approach is to check the current month's theme before booking rather than assuming a fixed syllabus.

What the format implies in practice:

• Remote participation — you join online rather than travelling to a shop, which is the main difference from the in-person events.
• A rotating theme — each session explores a different area of cheese, so repeat attendance gives you variety rather than repetition.
• Guided learning — the stated purpose is to "learn more about delicious cheese," so expect commentary and structure rather than an unguided tasting.

The site does not publish the price, the exact platform, or whether cheese is shipped to participants as part of the booking. Those details need to be confirmed on the current tasting page before you commit.

Cheese Academy and Level One

Paxton & Whitfield points to a partnership with The Academy of Cheese for a Level One course, described on the site as the route to becoming "a Level One cheese expert." The company frames this as the more formal education offering, distinct from the casual monthly tastings.

Two delivery modes are mentioned:

The site does not specify course duration, assessment method, cost, or whether the Level One course is delivered by Paxton & Whitfield staff or by Academy of Cheese tutors. Treat the qualification details as something to verify with the provider directly.

How to Decide Between Them

The choice comes down to what you want out of it:

• Choose a monthly online tasting if you want a single, themed session with no ongoing commitment and you're happy to supply your own cheese.
• Choose the Level One / Cheese Academy route if you want a structured course and are willing to attend in person.
• Choose neither yet if you mainly want to buy cheese — the site's core retail operation, including its Click & Collect service at Jermyn Street, Piccadilly, Canterbury, Cale Street in Chelsea, and Bath, is separate from the education offerings.

Practical Points Before Booking

• Check the current theme. Because the online tastings rotate monthly, the session available now may cover a topic you've already done.
• Confirm what's included. The site's excerpt does not state whether tasting samples are posted to participants, so don't assume cheese arrives with your booking.
• Consider Click & Collect for in-person events. If you're attending at a shop, the site notes a free Click & Collect service as a way to avoid queues and delivery charges — useful if you plan to buy alongside a visit.
• Look at the wider context. Paxton & Whitfield describes itself as a family business of over 225 years, holding a Royal Warrant of Appointment to every monarch since Queen Victoria in 1850, with stated commitments including 100% renewable-source electricity and a 12% reduction in single-use plastic. That background is relevant if sustainable sourcing is part of why you're choosing a provider for a course or tasting.

For current dates, themes, prices, and what each session includes, go to the Virtual Tastings and Cheese Academy pages on the site — those are the pages that carry the live details, and they change month to month.