With a background in Food Science and Technology, Gina’s true passion has always been dairy. Recognising the limited opportunities for cheese education in Australia, she co- founded the Artisan Cheese Academy to help bridge the gap. Over the years, Gina has gained valuable hands-on experience through teaching and travelling, deepening her respect for the skills and the people behind it. Now working in food quality, she brings that same passion and expertise to The Dairy Duo—sharing her knowledge, supporting local producers, and inspiring the next generation of cheese professionals.

Rachael’s dairy journey began

in 2010 with a one-week

cheesemaking course that ignited

a lasting passion. What started as

a way to value-add to her family’s

dairy farm quickly evolved into

a hands-on career, spanning

all aspects of cheesemaking—

from maturation and wrapping

to leading production as a head

cheesemaker.

With a deep respect for tradition

and a flair for innovation, Rachael

brings her wealth of experience

and creative spirit to The Dairy

Duo, where she continues to

champion quality and craft in

every curd.

The Dairy Academy was founded by Gina Dal Santo and Rachael Stacey to offer specialised consulting for the Australian dairy industry, with a focus on artisan cheesemaking and food quality systems.

With combined experience in food science, hands-on production, education, and business development, Gina and Rachael support cheesemakers and processors at every stage—from facility setup and recipe development to compliance and quality assurance.

Gina brings expertise in food quality and cheese education, while Rachael offers over a decade of hands-on production experience. Together, they help businesses create safe, consistent, and exceptional cheeses with confidence and care.