Peggy Smith facts for kids
Peggy Smith is a super important person in the world of cheese! She helped start a famous company called Cowgirl Creamery with her friend, Sue Conley. Together, they really helped grow the special "artisan cheese" business in Northern California. In 2006, Peggy and Sue even won a big award called the James Beard award. This award recognized their amazing work and contributions to the food and drink world for over ten years!
Peggy's Early Journey
Peggy Smith went to the University of Tennessee. That's where she met her future business partner, Sue Conley. In 1976, Peggy and Sue moved to San Francisco. They both started working in restaurants. Peggy cooked at a famous restaurant called Chez Panisse for 17 years!
After leaving Chez Panisse, Peggy moved to Point Reyes, California. There, she and Sue Conley started a company called Tomales Bay Foods. Their goal was to sell and share delicious foods made in the West Marin area.
Starting Cowgirl Creamery
Peggy Smith and Sue Conley co-founded Cowgirl Creamery. This company makes and sells special, handmade cheeses. They started the cheese company to show off the amazing organic milk from Albert Straus at Straus Family Creamery.
Peggy explained their reason: "We saw the need to showcase great quality organic milk." They wanted to help local farms stay strong. Making cheese from local milk was a way to support the farmers and keep farming alive in the area.
Awards and Achievements
Peggy is a member of the California Artisan Cheese Guild. This is a group for people who make special cheeses in California. With Sue Conley, Peggy also wrote a cookbook called Cowgirl Creamery Cooks.
In 2016, Peggy and Sue sold Cowgirl Creamery. It was bought by Emmi, a dairy company from Switzerland.
