Washington State University’s famous Cougar Gold cheese, and the students who make it at the WSU Creamery and campus dairy, will be featured Monday on The Rachael Ray Show.
Airing May 24, the episode highlights how students use milk from the university’s Knott Dairy Center, and other sources, to make cheese.
Rachael Ray is a television personality, businesswoman, celebrity cook and author. Now in its 15th season, her Emmy Award-winning nationally syndicated talk show offers a mix of entertainment, information, and cooking.
Ray and the show’s producers were inspired to feature WSU’s cheese-making process after a friend sent Ray a surprise gift of Cougar Gold cheese. Creamery and dairy student employees and college staff captured footage and shared with producers this spring.
Operating for more than 70 years, the WSU Creamery produces more than 250,000 cans of cheese and 22,000 gallons of ice cream annually, while providing work and learning opportunities as well as financial support to students and university operations.
Knott Dairy Center, founded in 1962, offers real-life experience that prepares students for careers in the dairy industry.
“I’m excited that Rachael Ray chose to showcase the behind-the-scenes work by students and staff to make the Cougar cheeses and ice cream that customers have come to know and love,” said John Haugen, WSU Creamery Manager. “Our student employees work hard, between their classes, to make and sell high quality products that start with students at the WSU dairy. But the result we’re most proud of are our student employees, who receive practical experience as part of their education.”
The Rachael Ray Show airs at 10 a.m. on Seattle-Tacoma’s KONG TV, at 3 p.m. on Spokane’s KXLY, and 3 p.m. on Yakima’s KAPP.
Learn more about the WSU Creamery at creamery.wsu.edu.