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Sonntag Plant-Based Cheese
Established · 13 signalscheesemaker Auckland

Sonntag Plant-Based Cheese

Helena Teichrib

Sonntag Plant-Based Cheese was founded by Helena Teichrib, with the inspiration for the business emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Helena Teichrib (Germany) - industrial designer turned artisan vegan cheesemaker · Designed furniture, lighting in Germany; aircraft interiors in NZ · Came on working holiday 7+ years ago, fell in love with Nelson/Takaka · Level 4 lockdown experiment after going plant-based and missing cheese · Had dabbled in traditional cheesemaking in Germany

“Zesty:** Made with fresh lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and fragrant garlic, it can also substitute for sour cream or aioli.” · “It also won "Best Flavoured Cheese" in 2022 and was a runner-up in 2024.” · “Judges praised its firm and dense texture, wonderfully balanced flavor complemented by cumin, and mass appeal.”

Craft ObsessionOperator PassionMulti-GenerationalTradition PreservedArtisan QualityOriginal SourcePersonal ConnectionMoment of CareStory RichFringe CultureEmerging momentumCommunity tractionAuthentic Sourcing

Their Story

Sonntag Plant-Based Cheese was founded by Helena Teichrib, with the inspiration for the business emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic. This period prompted Helena to rethink her path, drawing on a university product design project that focused on the relationship with food and the environmental…

What They Make

  • Cultured Creamy Cream Cheese (original, versatile)
  • Cultured Dilly Cream Cheese (dill, garlic, chives)
  • Cultured Umami Cream Cheese (miso, whole cumin seeds)
  • Cultured Zesty Cream Cheese (fresh lemon zest, cracked black pepper, fragrant garlic)
  • Cumin Gouda Style Cheese (sliceable hard cheese alternative, made from cashew milk, gluten-free flours, coconut oil)
  • Smoked Gouda Style Cheese (sliceable hard cheese alternative, made from cashew milk, gluten-free flours, coconut oil)
  • Occasional limited edition products (available at farmers markets)

Awards & Recognition

  • Vegan Cheese Awards — Supreme Winner (Cumin Gouda Style)(2023)
  • Vegan Cheese Awards — Winner, Best Flavoured Cheese (Cumin Gouda Style)(2022)
  • Vegan Cheese Awards — Runner-up, Best Flavoured Cheese (Cumin Gouda Style)(2024)
  • NZ Artisan Awards — Silver Award (Dilly Cultured Cream Cheese)(2022)
  • NZ Artisan Awards — Silver Award (Umami Cultured Cream Cheese)(2022)
  • NZ Artisan Awards — Gold Award (Zesty Cultured Cream Cheese)(2023)
  • NZ Artisan Awards — Gold Award (Smoked Gouda Style)(2023)

More from Sonntag Plant-Based Cheese

Jar return program for glass packaging reuseZine production (with Alex Raichev)

How to Get Their Products

Farmers' Markets

Grey Lynn Farmers Market

Auckland·Sun 8:30-12

Oratia Farmers' Market

Auckland·Sat 9-12

Nationwide shipping via third-party online retailers (The Vegan Shop, Vutter Online Shop, Naturally Organic). Direct pick-up orders (contact for details). Available at various farmers markets in Auckland (The Shed Collective, Smales Farm, Grey Lynn). Sold through numerous physical retail stockists across Auckland, Waiheke, Wellington, Nelson, and Christchurch.

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