Fairfield Cheese Company

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

Eat The Rind.

My love affair with artisan cheese began when I interned on a tiny goat farm in Connecticut in 2016. After college, I worked in education before deciding to pursue my passion for cheese. I started working as a cheesemonger last summer and have loved every second of it. Cheese gives me hope for the future; we are a community of people committed to supporting small businesses, independently-owned farms, ethical animal husbandry, and sustainable agriculture. I am grateful that I get to learn every day from cheese-lovers of all kinds– getting to eat lots of incredible cheese is an added bonus!

Instagram: @emilyntoby

Roscioli

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

Demystifying Cheese Lore.

I’m a passionate cheese expert by day and a folk singer by night, based in Brooklyn, NY. My journey behind the cheese counter has taken me from Murray’s Cheese on Bleecker Street to Campbell & Co to Rosciolis in McDougal in the West Village. I merge my love of cheese and music through Curds & Chords, a quarterly community event hosted by Metro Cheese Club—an all-you-can-eat cheese tasting concert. I find deep purpose in demystifying the exciting world of cheese for everyday folks and draw on my background in sustainability to reduce waste both behind the counter and at my events cherishing the resources that go into cheese.

Instagram: @singer.songer.monger

Monger’s Palate

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

Learning. Tasting. Loving.

Hi! My name is Casey and I am from Long Island, NY! In my journey of working with cheese I have learned so much and met so many amazing people! I have a true passion for cheese and am so excited to compete in the CMI!

Instagram: @caseycshargel

Town & Country Markets

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

Constant Joy

Started back in 2006 in the grocery industry not knowing what it was all about. I come from a food service hopsitality background . The company I work for is centered around nourishing the quality of life , kaizen. I took it upon myself to learn all I could about the area of cheese and charcruterie I could while employed and found it thoroughly facinating, just more intimate and instantly gratifying, voila a new found curiosity was born. Cheese was an area unfamiliar to me , not wanting to look uneducated I sought guidance from the cheese primer, the wholly grail for beginners during that time. The rest is a mystery but I am here to make history.

Barnyard Cheese

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

Joy of Life

My name is Henry- I have been a Cheesemonger for about 2 years and I am the youngest competitor to date- I will continue to work in the cheese industry for as long as possible and give as much cheese to as many people as possible and spread the joy that cheese brings!

Instagram: @urlocalcheesehead

Sissle and Daughters Cheesemongers (Previously Cheese Shop of Portland)

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

Creativity, Conversation, Versatility

In 2021, after eight years working in bakeries, I made what felt like a natural transition into the world of cheese. Sharing good food with community has threaded the needle through all chapters of my life. In my time as a cheesemonger I've been lucky to visit Jasper Hill Farm and Vermont Shepherd, as well as travel with Essex St. Cheese across Europe. In 2024 I became a CCP, pushing me to dive deeper as a monger. When not behind the counter, you can find me camping, collaging, combing the beach, or enjoying a book in my hammock.

Instagram: @chnsclaire

Beautiful Rind

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

Sharing Nerdy Knowledge.

I started my cheese journey back in 2014 at a big new Murray's Kroger shop and fell in love. I've since worked for PCC markets in Seattle and now I've been at Beautiful Rind in Chicago for 5 years. I feel like there's always more to learn in the cheese world and I really love that. It's such a great community. Also, as someone with social anxiety, mongering has done wonders in helping me come out of my shell!

Instagram: @Ashxmomo89

Fromagerie Hamel

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

Crazy Creative Passion.

I've worked for fifteen years in the cheese industry; I like to say cheese chose me and not the other way around (although I am more than happy with the result!) Cheese has been a blessing in my life, it is not just what I do for a living it's my lifestyle; I work in cheese, study cheese, dream of cheese and try to spread joy through my chosen art. I am lucky to work for a dedicated company whose very motto exemplifies my personality, "Fou de fromages" - crazy about cheese! I look forward to sharing my crazy, creative, professional and passionate adoration of cheese with everyone!

Instagram: @mtlcheesequeen

PCC Community Markets

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

Community, Support, Discovery

I'm a cheesemonger from Seattle who aims to spread the word of cheese. Coming from a family who wasn't fortunate enough to have access to it, I want educate and spread my love for this wonder creation of art, chemistry, and history to those who might not have the means otherwise. It's also especially Important because I feel like I carry the responsibility of the small local creameries on my shoulders. Cheese for all it's worth, changed my life in a way I couldn't have possibly imagined.

Instagram: @Phanerocheese

The Welsh Rabbit

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

My Third Place

Bonnie Jackson is a cheesemonger out of Fort Collins, Colorado. She has been working in the cheese industry for 6 years, first at a Murray’s Cheese Island, then at a local independent shop, The Welsh Rabbit. There, she earned her CCP, and a year later went on to place 3rd in CMI NYC 2024.

Cheese has become a second home to Bonnie, and she strives to instil the same passion and belonging that she feels within the cheese world with everyone she meets, whether fellow monger or curious customer.

Instagram: @cheesybonnie

Big John's PFI

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

Connections.

After a career making mostly cool stuff, all over the world, I walked into a cheese shop and found the thing I didn't know I was looking for.

Instagram: @oh_that_dave_ladik

Nouvelle Maison

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

Cheese Advocacy & Devotion.

Kaspar Horsfield (AKA "Baby Cheese") is the Cheese Supervisor & Cheesemonger at Nouvelle Maison in Winchester, MA. When he isn't behind the counter paying the cheese tax to the wandering stranger, Kaspar can be found pursuing hobbies including, but not limited to: maille making (chainmail) cross stitching, and costume design.

Instagram: @the_baby_cheese

Uplands Cheese/Independent

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

Continuously Educational

I have spent the last 7 years in cheese, both on the monger and production side. I love working in cheese because every day is a chance to learn something new. I’m always fascinated how the same cheese can take on many different flavors depending on the batch and love diving in to what makes them all unique.

Instagram: @Hcocobolo

Market of Choice

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

Impassioned And Innovative.

Hi, I am the new specialty sales manager at Market of Choice. I’ve been working with cheese for 8 years. I am an Oregon native foodie that enjoys all things food. I have never met a cheese that I do not appreciate and I am excited to continue to grow my knowledge and provide communities with fun and interesting cheese!

Instagram: @tinydancer1313

Market of Choice

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

Spreading Cheesy Happiness.

I manage the Specialty Cheese department of the Bend, Oregon location of Market of Choice, an Oregon based family-owned chain of markets. With a love of everything to do with cheese, I've spent the last 9 years working, traveling the world, tasting and talking about cheese with everyone I meet, and can't believe how lucky I am to be part of this wonderful vocation!

Instagram: @alimentarecheese