The Summit Cheese Shoppe

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?

Connection, Culture, Emotion.

Native Pittsburgher, but have grown to love my home state of New Jersey over the past 10 years and will defend her to my death. Why cheese? My friends and family have learned to accept that a simple question about brie may turn into a dissertation about bloomy rinds. I am endlessly curious about cheese and think the wonderful thing about it is that even though it’s thousands of years in the making, methods of making and affiange are always evolving. Cheese feels like magic to me.

Instagram: @shubaandcheese

The Culinary Underground & Five Crowns/Side Door

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Sharing flavorful joy !

I’ve been involved with cheese-related positions throughout the service industry in various capacities - from retail, to managing cheese stations at restaurants, to helping open various restaurants (with a focus on the cheese-related cuisine), to creating cheese-centric plates for events - the focus of my career has been all things cheese. I knew early on that a typical “9-to-5” job just wasn't a good fit for me – and, from my first encounter with cheese, I was smitten – it was that “aha” moment of knowing where I belonged.
As of late, I’ve worked to deepen my knowledge of the vast world of cheese - with a more recent focus on understanding the ripening and aging processes, along with the fascinating microbiology that allows those processes to occur. The work of affineurs fascinates me as a monger - the web of connections between the land, the animals which provide the milk, the use of rennet, the microbes which create nuanced and beautiful flavor, I can only find myself humbled by the incredible beauty of it all. I believe that all parts of that process deserve our reverence, respect, and unconditional care, because as we are stewards of this planet.

Instagram: @drea__34

The Welsh Rabbit

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Sharing good food!

I’m Bonnie, a cheesemonger from Fort Collins, CO. I’ve been with cheese for 5 years, and recently got my CCP in 2023.

Instagram: @cheesybonnie

Bedford Cheese Shop

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Bringing foodies together.

Hi! My name is Camryn, a cheesemonger with a love for making boards and finding neat parings. I'm originally from Reading, PA, but I'm currently based out of New York. I believe that good food makes good company even greater, and I'm grateful to work professionally in such a niche area of food and hospitality!

When I'm not mongering, I like to take trips to museums, make digital illustrations, and hang out with my pet snake named Yikes.

Instagram: @camryn.png

Greenwich Cheese Company

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Giving people cheese!

I have been cheese mongering at Greenwich Cheese Company for one year during which time I’ve learned a huge amount from my colleagues. I enjoy helping people find a cheese they love and learning new things about cheese and other foods. My favorite cheeses are alpine.

Murray’s Cheese

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Life-changing, inspiring, impactful.

I’ve been in the cheese world for A little bit more than three years. Becoming a cheesemonger has been life-changing in so many ways. It taught me that food and agriculture are essential in this world and make an excellent source of connections to those who are part of this industry. I still have so much to learn, but every experience that I’ve had so far has led me to have amazing friendships with knowledgeable cheese experts from all over the world, and I want to share my passion to be one of those people to educate people about cheese all the time!

Instagram: @Meraki.c_

Miami Cheese Shop

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Sharing Artisan Cheese.

Courtney started her journey in cheese in 2018 with her blog, The Cheese Chat. It progressed to mongering/ cheese catering in the evenings when she was not advising startups. She competed in CMI SF in 2019 and the rest was history. After that weekend, she left corporate America to do cheese full-time. She opened a single-monger cheese shop in Los Angeles 2019-2021, but had to close to fight breast cancer. She is 1 year cancer free, and just opened The Miami Cheese Shop, where she is head monger! She is so excited to be back and competing in CMI again!

Instagram: @miamicheeseshop

Murray’s (Bleeker St.)

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
A fine-ass affineur .

I am originally from Southern California. I have been eating cheese at a semi-professional level for the past 28 years.

Big John's PFI

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?

Share deliciousness

Media exec gets burned out, finds joy behind the cheese counter.

Instagram: @Oh_that_dave_ladik

Murray’s Cheese

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Loving Cheese

My Name is Eli and I am from New York City. I work at Murray’s on Bleecker. I love food, cooking and really love cheese. I have heard great things about the competition. I am excited to meet people and learn more about cheese.

Instagram: @Eli_Smileyface

Formaggio Kitchen

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Dream come true.

Liz Clarke is a Supervising Cheesemonger and Instructor at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge, MA. She is currently earning a Master of Arts degree in Gastronomy at Boston University, scheduled to graduate in 2025. A turophile passionate about showcasing the diversity within her cheese case, Liz avidly connects with New England cheesemakers through farm visits, cheesemaking trainings and philanthropic trade shows. She is proud to call herself a Milkmaid since joining the women’s organization Meeting of the Milkmaids in 2024. Future goals include becoming a domestic and international cheese buyer with Formaggio Kitchen.

Instagram: @schirleytemple

Cowbell Fine Cheese

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Palate, patience, power :)

Chicago native, strong background in wine production. I accidentally stumbled upon the greatest career in the world and to this day I am still pinching myself! I run the cowbell retail store and Instagram. I love talking about cheese with our guests and I LOVE quiet moments alone with the cheeses, when I get to prepare our retail case, break down wheels and train my palate. I am so excited to attend CMI! cheers, E

Instagram: @emilyantene

Mongers Palate

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Purveyor of cheese.

A simple man that enjoys the gourmet things life has to offer.
I hail from Minnesota, by way of DC. I have found solace in Brooklyn for the last decade, enveloping myself in the New York hustle and acquiring all the knowledge the streets have to offer. I was always fond of cheese but I never knew the depth of such glory until I began mongering.

Instagram: @awesomvsmaximvs

Nouvelle Maison

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Cheese for All!

I have been in the food world my entire adult life, from a line cook, private chef, catering manager, and cheesemonger. I can’t imagine a world in that I don’t spread my love of food and cheese. I am now transitioning to help open a brand new French cheese and wine market, Nouvelle Maison, in Winchester, MA as their General Manager, and to help train a new generation of cheesemongers. Cheese is life ♥️

Instagram: @Hannahbkinns

Ideal cheese shop

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Life job happy.

My name is Henry and I live in midtown East, I have been going to ideal cheese all my life and decided to start working, I love cheese and I am very exited to have the cmi to be part of my life.

Urban Farmer Denver

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Showcasing Her virtues.

Fortunate to have professionally eet cheese at a WF flagship and trained by 3 CCPs ten years ago. Love the cheese counter but always find my way back to the professional kitchen.
Presently making boards and composed bites at a New-American steakhouse in Denver. Marketing-minded.
Gladly caught up in the eternal present. Aiming to move to Oregon in July, hungry for cheese.

Downtown Cheese

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Community, Discovery, Passion.

My name is Jake Heller and I’ve lovingly devoted my entire career to cheese. I spent 11 years working as a cheesemonger with two small family owned shops. Now I am a Cheesemaker/ Monger with the new urban creamery, Perrystead Dairy in Philadelphia. I’ve traveled the world for cheese attending conferences, conventions, and completions. I love cheese for the complexity of flavor, the cultural history, and as a tool of preservation, but most of all I love cheese for the community of wonderful people that it inspires.

Instagram: @Young_cheeses

PCC Community Markets

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Community & Fellowship.

I'm a cheesemonger who's mission is to share my love and passion for cheese with everyone. Everyone deserves to have great cheese and I was blessed with a great teacher and friend that made me love this so much. Sharing the stories and being a community is such a privilege and I want to share that with the world in a meaningful way.

Instagram: @Phanerocheese

Harvey’s

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Teaching the people.

I’m a cheese professional and lesbian, hence the cheesebian handles. I was reared at WFM in Birmingham (10+yrs) by Randall Felts and taught John Litzinger. I’ve floated between Alabama and Louisville KY for the past few years, and Louisville has become my permanent home. The shop I work at has become a restaurant, I build a lot of boards now and do monthly education and pairing workshops, as we have a killer cocktail program and bar. I worked at Capriole and also own my own cheese business (In Cheeses’ Name) where I make from premade curd and sell at farmers markets.

Instagram: @bamacheesebian

Murray's Cheese

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Passion, flavor, people!

I started working in cheese part time through college in 2016, and my love for this world has grown immensely, taking me from Salt Lake City, UT to Charlotte, NC, where I joined the Murray's Cheese national team as a Store Opening Specialist.

Instagram: @shipji12

The Son of a Butcher

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Connecting with people.

My career in cheese began at Whole Foods after a multitude of jobs in the food industry. Fell in love with the science behind it, got my CCP there, and eventually decided to move on to a local shop in the downtown area of Birmingham, AL where I have been since.

Instagram: @jlitzinger01

The Cheese Shop of Salem

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Teaching, History, Storytelling.

CMI round 2: electric boogaloo! I love learning and competing, so this is a real sweet spot for me. I'm a monger at the Cheese Shop of Salem and love the camaraderie that comes with being behind the counter as much as the test of CMI!

Instagram: @joekonuts

Formaggio Kitchen

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Cracking da parm.

I am a cheesemonger, meat buyer, and sign maker extraordinaire at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge, Mass. I aim to champion makers with a respect for their land, livestock, and labor — hopefully contributing to building a food system that sucks a little less.

Instagram: @goodscommaprint

Lucio / Belmont Butchery

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
A tasty time!

Starting behind the case at Whole Foods Market in Richmond, Virginia in 2014, Joshua Franklin is one of the fun faces of cheese in Richmond. Having started many a cheese case for businesses here and in neighboring cities, Joshua now is the cheesemonger for Belmont Butchery, as well as the cheese presence behind Lucio, doing cheese focused dinners, catering cheese and charcuterie boards, and teaching classes.

Instagram: @joshuajamesfranklin

The Rhined

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Sharing culture.

Jack of all trades in the works. Started in restaurants over a decade ago and developed a strong culinary background. Moved on to baking for a few years and mastered sourdough. Had a short affair in wine sales and then set my sights on cheese! My goal is to take all of these interrelated facets and become a better rounded culinary pillar in my community.

Instagram: @rac00n_dad

Market of Choice

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Spreading happiness.

I have always loved cheese, and when I had the opportunity to become a cheesemonger after my daughter went off to college, I jumped at it. In the 8 years I have been at Market of Choice, I have gone from being a newbie cheesemonger to becoming an ACS CCP, and for the last 3 years have been managing the Specialty Cheese department. I live with my husband in beautiful Bend, OR and travel the world as much as possible to attend cheese education and events.

Instagram: @alimentarecheese

Eataly

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Edible high fashion!

Hi, Katrina here. I am a 3D artist who found my place in the Formaggi and Salumi corner of Eataly. Huge fan of cheeses, eating them, selling them, ordering them and taking care of them. I love learning history of food and the science behind its deliciousness. I am a staunch advocate for taking esthetics of presenting food very seriously. Mother to 2 rambunctious boys who happen to be cats.

Freelancing, but previously, Eataly Silicon Valley

In three words or less: what does being a cheesemonger mean to you?
Knowledge, Service, Puns.

I'm a Filipino-American cheesemonger from Los Angeles. I started mongering one summer while in college in San Jose, California, and quickly turned it into a career. I'm passionate about all of the history and tradition that's gone in to shaping today's cheese landscape. I've got a particular fondness for funky cheeses, and I'm eager to compete at CMI. I'm also the recipient of the Cheese Culture Coalition's CMI scholarship.