Nuestro Queso cheesemakers share Hispanic culture, flavor with the world

KENT, Ill. (WTVO) — A food manufacturing plant located in rural Stephenson County has slowly become an international player in the cheese industry.

Over 13 years, Jesus Vazquez Rodriguez worked his way up through the ranks at Hispanic Cheese Makers Nuestro Queso in Kent, just west of Freeport, to become the head cheesemaker at the plant.

“I have 13 years working for the cheese factory Nuestro Queso,” Vazquez Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said while that title makes him proud, he feels even more pride sharing the food of his culture with the world.

“I’m proud to do the cheese for the Hispanic people, and also we try to get American people to like the cheese,” he said.

President and CEO, Mark Braun, said the company makes 9 different curd types.

“We make melting cheeses, we make flavored cheeses, we make semi-hard cheeses,” he said about the types of cheeses his team makes.

Hispanic cheeses are cheeses made popular in Mexico and other Hispanic countries around the world.

Braun said Nuestro Queso produces cheese for American consumers and for countries around the world.

“Believe it or not, Singapore, the UK, Dubai,” Braun said. “I think it speaks to the influence of Hispanic Culture and how people embrace it.”

He said employees, many of which are Hispanic, take great pride in their work.

Rosanelba Almanza Ferreira works in the production area. She said she started working for Nuestro Queso when the company began operating.

“I’m going to mark 15 years here,” she said. “I like what I do.”

She’s said it’s been fun watching the company grow in the Stateline.

“When we started, the factory was very small. We made very little cheese. But now we make a lot of cheese,” she said.

She said it’s a joy serving the Hispanic community with cheese, which is vital to her culture.

“It makes us feel really good,” she said about her colleagues. “That’s why we work… to make good cheese and so families can enjoy it.”

“Many of our employees have been a part of this company since the very beginning,” Braun said. “They’re very passionate about it, and obviously we’re passionate about what we’re doing here.”

That’s why Vazquez Rodriguez said he’s stayed at the plant for so long.

“I’d love to stay here,” he said.

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