Where Are They Now? Cheese becomes the object of 2007 alum's artistic affections

Dictionary.com defines a "cheesemonger" as "a merchant who sells cheese and other dairy products." This is a fairly lackluster denotation when compared to how New Rockford-Sheyenne (NR-S) Class of 2007 graduate Megan (Jury) Lewis, an artisanal cheesemonger in the Fargo-Moorhead area, describes her job. From her delectable portrayal, it is evident that Megan absolutely loves her line of work.

Megan says, "I view my job as being a storyteller. Artisan cheese producers spend a lot of time, care and money to create these products we love to eat!  Each cheese is made and created to be unique and different. As an advocate for the cheese maker, I romance and tell the story of their cheese to the masses. This is why I put so much time and energy into creating beautiful and unique platters for my clients. The cheese maker made a beautiful and delicious product, and I should give it the care and attention it deserves!"

Milk Made, the cheese catering company that Megan launched in the spring of 2017, is gaining ground rapidly. People have responded well to the unique food business, and for that, Megan feels blessed. "I get to be a mom, a business owner, and a cheesemonger! It's a good life!"

she exclaimed. To earn the classification as a certified cheesemonger, Megan plans to take the exam next year. Her hope for the future is to continue to build the company by booking weddings and large corporate events. In doing so, she still is allowed to spend quality time with her husband Derrick and two young daughters, 3-year-old Lydia and 3-month-old Clara.

The aesthetic inventiveness Megan displays as a cheesemonger must be inherited! She states, "I was always around creative people. Both of my grandmothers were great cooks, my grandfather and dad are both talented carpenters, and my mother and aunt are skilled quilters." Early on, Megan had thought that, with her outgoing personality, she would grow up to be a lawyer. In her later years of high school at NR-S, she realized that she would not be happy pursuing a highly structured career.

Feeding the creative ambitions in Megan were the extra-curricular activities of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), speech and the One-Act play. Through her involvement on the National Student Leadership Council for SADD during her senior year, Megan had the opportunity to travel extensively and meet people from different backgrounds and cultures, as well as try out a variety of new foods. Her imaginative and artistic attributes were enhanced when she was on stage for several shows with the Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts.

Thinking that she would major in music education, Megan enrolled at the University of Mary in Bismarck, but she soon found out that a traditional 4-year college was not a good fit for her. She decided to transfer to Moorhead State Community Technical College to study culinary arts. Megan thrived as she experienced all forms of cooking, baking and learning how to operate a food-based business.

Megan interned with Oven Door Catering, after which she started her first catering company, Culinary Creations. She and her best friend from college operated the catering business until 2011 when Megan and Derrick were married. Her subsequent job experiences as a bridal consultant and kitchen and bathroom designer led her to start a cheese program at the popular downtown store, Pinch and Pour.

Megan credits her upbringing in New Rockford for much of her current success. Three details that she loves most about her hometown are the sense of community in which support is readily shown to anyone in need, the active theatre program that allows creative people to blossom and flourish, and the small town feel. "I think young people are drawn to a small town because it is quaint, quiet and supportive," Megan believes.

"Working hard for something we don't care about is called 'stress.' Working hard for something we love is called 'passion'." This is one of Megan's favorite quotations, and it has been a great motivator for her during this season in her life. She started Milk Made as an opportunity to balance her work life with her family life. She says that she is overall a happier person because when she works, she works hard, but when she is home, she is totally a mom and wife. "I am more tired than I ever have been, but I am also happier than I have ever been, too!" Megan concluded. What a great combination for a young mother and clever entrepreneur!