Top Journalists in Cheese Shops
Janet Fletcher Planet Cheese; Specialty Food Magazine
James Beard–winning writer behind the weekly Planet Cheese newsletter and longtime cheese columnist; widely cited voice for specialty cheese shops in the U.S. Specialties: Cheese retail trends, artisan cheesemakers, cheese/wine-beer pairings, consumer education.
email | website | newsletter
Amy Sherman The Cheese Professor
Editor in Chief of The Cheese Professor, commissioning and writing serviceable stories for cheesemongers and cheese-shop customers nationwide. Specialties: Cheese industry coverage, shop profiles, pairings, consumer education.
Carlos Yescas The Cheese Professor; Culture: The Word on Cheese
Cheese scholar and author who writes frequently on cheese retailers, culture, and decolonization of food systems; regular contributor to The Cheese Professor and Culture. Specialties: Artisanal and raw-milk cheeses, Latin American cheese, policy/advocacy, retailer education.
Alexandra Jones Culture; Food & Wine; USA Today (freelance)
Philadelphia-based author of “Stuff Every Cheese Lover Should Know,” covering cheese shops, farming, and climate across national outlets. Specialties: Cheese supply chains, climate and sustainability, shop and maker profiles, consumer guides.
Lisa Futterman The Cheese Professor; Chicago Tribune; national outlets (freelance)
Chicago journalist and ACS Certified Cheese Professional who covers cheese retail, beverage pairings, and specialty food trends. Specialties: Retail cheese programs, beverage pairings, Chicago market, cheesemonger expertise (ACS CCP).
Pamela Vachon Culture; The Cheese Professor; Wine Enthusiast (freelance)
Freelance food & travel writer with regular cheese coverage (Culture, Cheese Professor, Wine Enthusiast) and class instruction at Murray’s. Specialties: Cheese retail and tasting education, beverage pairings, travel for cheese tourism; Murray’s Cheese instructor.
Tenaya Darlington Culture; Edible Philly; Madame Fromage
Also known as Madame Fromage, Darlington writes extensively on cheese culture and shops, teaches classes, and leads cheese-travel programs. Specialties: Cheese-shop education, pairings, classes, Philly market; consumer books on cheese.
Christine Clark VinePair; Culture; Insider; Simply Recipes (freelance)
Freelance writer and educator (ACS CCP) focused on making artisan cheese accessible, with frequent coverage of shops and buying strategies. Specialties: Retail buying and education (former Murray’s Cheese), consumer guides, pairings, product reviews.
Susan Sherrill Axelrod Culture: The Word on Cheese
Editor and reporter with leadership roles at Culture; covers makers, mongers, and shop-driven trends across the U.S. and abroad. Specialties: Editorial leadership for cheese trade/consumer features, retailer spotlights, product launches.
Madison Trapkin Culture; Food52; Saveur (freelance)
Former Editor-in-Chief at Culture; Boston-based editor and writer covering cheese, makers, and shop culture across national outlets. Specialties: Cheese culture and retail features, list guides, maker/monger profiles; former magazine EIC.
Patrick McGuigan The Telegraph; Financial Times; delicious. magazine (freelance)
Leading UK-based cheese journalist and author who regularly covers cheese shops and industry trends for major newspapers and trade titles. Specialties: Retail and market trends (UK/EU and U.S.), monger education, profiles of shops and affineurs.
Jeanne Carpenter Cheese Underground; regional/national food media (freelance)
Award‑winning journalist and longtime Wisconsin cheese chronicler; writes deeply about shops, mongers, and Midwest makers. Specialties: Upper Midwest cheese retail, Wisconsin artisan scene, shop events and education.
Carol M. Bareuther, RD Cheese Connoisseur
Registered dietitian and veteran journalist with regular cheese‑shop profiles and features for Cheese Connoisseur. Specialties: Cheese retailer profiles, shop operations and merchandising, category features.
Keith Loria Cheese Connoisseur (freelance)
Prolific freelance writer whose bylines include multiple cheese‑retail profiles and producer features for Cheese Connoisseur. Specialties: Retailer and centerfold profiles, brand features, category deep dives.
Melanie Epp Cheese Connoisseur; agriculture trades (freelance)
Freelance agricultural journalist who contributes cheese‑retail profiles (e.g., historic shops) and industry reporting. Specialties: Retailer spotlights and international cheesemonger features; agriculture and dairy supply chain.
Lisa White Cheese Connoisseur
Cheese Connoisseur contributor with recurring retailer and events coverage, including shop spotlights and market features. Specialties: Retailer profiles, U.S. shop features, events coverage tied to cheese retail.
Rebecca Ferlotti Cheese Connoisseur (freelance)
Cleveland‑based freelance writer with cheese features and profiles for Cheese Connoisseur and other outlets. Specialties: Cheesemaker/retailer profiles, Midwest market stories, brand features.
Carol Penn‑Romine The Cheese Professor; Culture (freelance)
Award‑winning food writer and cheesemonger who contributes service journalism for cheese shoppers and industry readers alike. Specialties: Cheese‑shop customer education, monger tips, pairing content; ACS Certified Cheese Professional.
Elaine Khosrova Culture: The Word on Cheese (freelance)
Founding editor of Culture and author of Butter: A Rich History; continues to write authoritative features on cheese culture and retail. Specialties: Cheese history, culture, and retail storytelling; former founding editor of Culture; dairy category books.
Stacy Brooks The Cheese Professor; Tangled Up In Food (freelance)
Minneapolis‑based journalist with cheese features for The Cheese Professor and her food site, often highlighting shop experiences and how‑to buying guides. Specialties: Consumer‑facing cheese coverage, Midwest shops and markets, practical buying tips.
Related Topics
Further Reading
Was this page helpful? We'd love your feedback — please email us at feedback@dealstream.com.