L’Atelier Fromager is an urban creamery in Waco, Texas. We make French-style cheeses with locally sourced raw milk. We aim to connect the urban population with farmers by educating them about cheese tasting, cheese making and local food systems.

We want to grow in and with the Waco community while bringing a taste of France. We will offer cheese making classes as well as tasting events, both onsite and in partnership with other businesses, like wine bars for example.

I (Kirsten) was born in France and lived there until I met a charming American. After getting married, we left France together for the US, in order to pursue his career as a math professor, and I left my M.D. profession. 

Even though I was excited to be starting a new life with him, I soon realized that I missed many great things from France that were hard to find in the US. And French cheeses became the key missing element I couldn’t share my love of with my new American friends and family. Then Covid hit, and I found myself unable to visit France at all!

I went from despair to discovery. I found local farmers in central Texas who took care of the land and their cattle in such a way as to produce milk that matched the quality of the milk that is available in France, although showcasing the Texas terroir. So I started to make French cheeses in my own Texan kitchen, and I quickly learned the necessary skills and shared my creations with friends and family. I had so many appreciative responses and requests for more cheeses, that I decided to create L’Atelier Fromager (“The Cheese Workshop”).

I now use my scientific background when tending to the micro-organisms in my studio. I continue to study the art and skill of cheese-making, learning from a local cheesemaker as well as from cheesemakers around the world. 

We will sell our cheeses at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market, as well as online, until we can hire a cheesemonger and open a store at the cheese-making location.