John Ratzenberger's Made in America

Season 2, Episode 5

Episode Title: Tillamook Cheese

Air Date: 2004-12-28

Overview:

First stop is the Tillamook Cheese factory in Tillamook, Oregon. Director of Cheese Operations Wayne Bean acts as John's tour guide and informs him of the process of turning milk into cheese, cheesemaker Dale Baumgartner shows John how to stack curds, and Quality Assurance Sensory Supervisor Butch Seufert (who is known as ""The Big Cheese"") splits a stick of cheddar with John. Next stop is John's hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut, home to Derecktor Shipyards, who build ferries. After John gives us a glimpse of the outside of the house where he grew up, he meets with Derecktor's Chief Operating Officer Gavin Higgins, as well as John Moore, a plasma cutter operator, Brian McNicholas, an AutoCAD Specialist, and Dieter Schreir, the construction supervisor. The four show John how their boats are built. After John gives a history lesson on Knott's Berry Farm, it's back to Connecticut, where he takes a steamboat ride with Captain Bob, skipper for the Becky Thatcher.