Early in his career, Mark Todd was drawn to Sonoma County by a love of fine wine. But his affection for the grape was ultimately overshadowed by his related passion for cheese. Since 1991, Mark has owned and operated Research Resources, offering industry leading education and promotion services, as well as strategic market research and creative copy writing services, for the retail and food service specialty cheese industry.

Mark has worked extensively with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the California Milk Advisory Board, the United States Dairy Export Council and other dairy associations, creating educational seminars for prominent national outlets such as SYSCO, Whole Foods, Applebee’s and dozens of others. He has been involved in trade shows and seminars for organizations such as the American Culinary Federation, the American Cheese Society, the Culinary Institute of America and many more.

Affectionately known as “The Cheese Dude,” Mark has shared his cheese wisdom at culinary and wine events across the country and abroad. He has also organized and orchestrated countless cheese demos at Bay Area stores and food events, and taught classes in cheese and wine at local Bay Area schools and shops. Mark has also been an avid home brewer for over a decade and is active in the local Mycological Society (mushroom hunters!).