About
ALISSA BARTHEL
A former biomedical researcher with 30 years experience in the food industry. She spent 10 years running her first artisan scale plant based cheese company, Punk Rawk Labs. Her next generation and current cheese brand is Future Hero Cave.
Her background in microbiology and medical research informed the development of an authentically fermented plant based cheese process which lies uniquely at the intersection of leading edge trends in functional foods, plant based cheeses, and microbiome research.
Her personal experience with autoimmune disease inspired the passion to create solutions that would impact an issue that is becoming exceedingly relevant to our time.
Plant Based Cheesemaker
Version 1.0 cheese business, Punk Rawk Labs (2010-2019). Version 2.0 next generation cheese business is Future Hero Cave.
Biomedical Engineer
Started career in biotech industry with focus in Microbiology, Genetics, and Cancer Research
BS Microbiology. UT-Austin.
MS Oncology. UW-Madison.
Minor in CS. Focus in AI.
Wellness Enthusiast
Inspired to develop cheesemaking process initially as a physical therapy project while recovering from illness.
Connecting The Dots
To quote the Beatles, ‘Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.’ You could definitely say that I set out with a different plan for myself. Like most people, I experienced a number of ‘course corrections’ that would alter that path dramatically.
This was not a career that anyone could have planned for. Yet, somehow what seemed like completely unrelated agendas, came together in perfect timing and aligned into window on the nature of today that the world needs now.
You could call it chaos theory, the elegant matrix, divine intervention, or co-creating with the universe. Whatever you would call it, this path was meant for me, and I’m grateful to have found it. It sounds hyperbolic, but I was born to make cheese. And that’s why I’m here.
“I am not a cheese person at all. So I was astonished when Alissa sent me her spring collection to try, and not only did I actually like them but I thoroughly enjoyed them! For the first time ever. I am therefore highly recommending a plant based cheese, (& this is made by a Microbiologist too!).”
The Plant Based Cheese Ecosystem
Restoring the health and well being of people, animals, and the planet starts with restoring ecosystems on a macro and microbiotic level. Plant based cheese IS real cheese. It is in itself a living ecosystem. One which connects our external and internal worlds. This has profound implications in the realm of health and wellness and highlights an opportunity which is exceedingly relevant to this moment in time.