Matyss Lentini, an apprentice from Saint-Maximin at the top of the plateau

"The cream of the crop." This expression takes on its full meaning when we talk about Matyss Lentini, a young, passionate 18-year-old apprentice who won the gold medal in the prestigious "Un des Meilleurs Apprentis de France" (MAF) competition in the cheesemaker category. This formula has never been better illustrated than by the journey of the young apprentice, who is pursuing a CAP (vocational certificate) in cheesemaking at the Saint-Maximin agricultural high school. Matyss, who suffers from severe dyslexia, is the first candidate to have benefited from a system adapted to his disability, and the first worker with a disability to achieve this title since the competition's creation.

It all began at the Kalou cheese shop in Marseille, where Matyss is now an apprentice. " I've always loved good products, especially charcuterie and cheese ," says the epicurean who describes himself as " a bon vivant and a good foodie ." On a Saturday in 2022, he walked through the door of the Kalou cheese shop run by Carine Kaloudjian, accompanied by his grandparents. " He came to introduce himself because he wanted to do his 3rd-year internship here ," recalls the shopkeeper. Through perseverance, Matyss will begin his CAP (Certificate of Professional Qualification) there in September 2023.

Today, the young apprentice is completely in his element. " I take care of orders, receive the goods, serve customers, and advise them ." What does he like to do the most? " Preparing cheese platters when there's an order ," he says without hesitation. " For me, it's an art form; it allows me to express what's on my mind. Later, I'd like to make it my specialty. "

" Matyss is a passionate, lively boy who always wants to do well. In fact, he can do everything! " assures his mentor, who nevertheless highlights " an intensity in him that has required some refocusing ." " He had to be taught the right distance to have with the customer, to find the right balance, to have the right message, " continues Carine, who is also president of the Paca delegation of the French Cheese Federation. This same Federation, in partnership with the National Society of Best Craftsmen of France, celebrated the excellence of the next generation of cheesemakers at the 6th edition of the MAF dairy-cheese competition, on May 26 at the Maison du Lait in Paris.

" I wanted to participate in this competition to push myself, but also to prove that I have what it takes ," says Matyss. " It's a revenge on life, on everything I've endured because of my disability. During my school career, I was often told that I wasn't capable, and I was also made fun of a lot. Today, I can tell my detractors that I am the Best Craftsman in France! "

The 18-year-old, who has disabled worker status, is unable to read and write " normally ." As a result, a special system was implemented for the first time for the competition. A third person wrote what Matyss told him to write for him. The tests included multiple-choice questions, blind tastings, and a test on platters to prepare and pair with wine. " I was the first to finish preparing my platter! " he says with undisguised and quite legitimate pride.

" I believed in him for the competition, given his skills and his ability to manage stress. He has a high level of intelligence and learns very quickly ," Carine explains.

When the results were announced, it was a triumph: Matyss won the gold medal. " I had tears in my eyes. I worked so hard to get there. I had mentally prepared myself to fail, just in case... "

However, the young man does not lose sight of his goals: " I want to continue to train, to improve my skills in cheese, there is always something to learn. And perhaps in a few years pass the competition Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF), or even open my own shop ," he projects.

In the meantime, Carine Kaloudijan continues to pass on her passion and expertise to her young apprentice, about whom we certainly haven't heard the last.

The St-Maximin agricultural high school is looking for apprentices

The Saint-Maximim agricultural high school introduced the CAP (vocational training certificate) in dairy and cheese making in September 2021. The campus provides all the necessary resources to ensure apprentices are fully immersed. " We have a farm with goat, cow, and sheep breeding facilities, as well as a cheese dairy that transforms milk into yogurt and cheese. A sales point is also set up at the high school, as some of the produce is consumed in the cafeteria, and some is sold, " explains Tina Soster, head of the Apprentice Training Unit (UFA) at the agricultural high school. The only downside is the low applicant rate. " We have a lot of requests from companies looking to recruit, but few young people sign up. It's a shame because there are positions to fill! "

Regarding Matyss's title, the manager assures that " seeing him succeed is a huge satisfaction. That's really why we do this job. He's found his path, this job inspires and excites him. We're just waiting to support other young people again ." A word to the wise...