Leading Executives in Cheese Shops
Dominick (Dom) DiBartolomeo
Owner & CEO, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
Owner who acquired the 1967-founded Cheese Store of Beverly Hills in 2022 and relocated it in July 2023 to a 5,000+ sq ft flagship, expanding programs and visibility in L.A.’s gourmet scene.
Julia Hallman
Owner, Formaggio Kitchen (Cambridge • Boston • Kendall)
Longtime general manager who purchased Formaggio Kitchen in January 2023 and now leads one of America’s premier cut‑to‑order cheese retailers.
Ari Weinzweig
CEO & Co‑founder, Zingerman’s Community of Businesses (incl. Zingerman’s Delicatessen)
Co‑founder and CEO who built Zingerman’s into a nationally recognized deli and specialty foods group with a revered cheese program; American Cheese Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2014).
Emilio Mignucci
VP, Di Bruno Bros. Brand (Wakefern), Di Bruno Bros. (brand) / Wakefern Food Corp.
Third‑generation cheesemonger who helped grow Philadelphia’s iconic Di Bruno Bros.; joined Wakefern in 2024 as Vice President to scale the Di Bruno brand after its acquisition.
R. Kent Torrey
President & CEO, The Cheese Shop (Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea, CA)
Longtime leader and public face of Carmel’s famed Cheese Shop, a destination for curated pairings and education; frequently hosts regional wine‑and‑cheese events.
John Antonelli
Co‑owner, Antonelli’s Cheese Shop (Austin, TX)
Co‑founder who’s grown Antonelli’s into a national‑profile cheese shop with robust education and events; opened a South Austin tasting room in 2024 and marked 15 years in 2025.
Kendall Antonelli
Co‑owner, Antonelli’s Cheese Shop (Austin, TX)
Co‑founder, Certified Cheese Professional, and prominent educator/advocate who leads tastings, classes and community engagement for the Austin shop’s expanding footprint.
Benoit Breal
Owner & Co‑founder, Saxelby Cheesemongers (NYC)
Co‑founder who took the helm after Anne Saxelby’s passing, continuing NYC’s first all‑American cheese shop and its mission to connect consumers with regional artisan producers.
Kurt Beecher Dammeier
Founder & Owner, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese (Seattle)
Founder/owner who built Beecher’s into a Seattle icon with glass‑walled urban cheesemaking and the wildly popular ‘World’s Best’ Mac & Cheese; also founded The Beecher’s Foundation.
Matt Caputo
CEO, Caputo’s Market & Deli (Salt Lake City)
CEO who expanded Caputo’s from beloved Italian market into a specialty‑foods leader with on‑site cheese caves and a strong national education footprint.
Jill Erber
Owner & Founder, Cheesetique (Alexandria & Arlington, VA)
Founder who pioneered a hybrid cheese‑shop‑plus‑restaurant model in Northern Virginia and has sustained strong community engagement for over 20 years.
C.J. Bienert
Owner, The Cheese Shop of Des Moines (IA)
Cheesemonger and owner who helped make Des Moines a Midwestern cheese destination and spun out the complementary Cheese Bar concept for hot‑melt experiences.
Kari Bienert
Co‑owner, The Cheese Shop of Des Moines (IA)
Co‑owner and co‑operator of the shop’s retail, events, and gifting programs, championing American artisan cheeses in the heartland.
Laura Downey
Co‑owner, Fairfield Cheese Co. & Greenwich Cheese Co. (CT)
Co‑owner (ACS CCP) of two award‑winning Connecticut cheese shops and co‑creator of Cheesemonger Box, a national artisan‑cheese subscription.
Chris Palumbo
Co‑owner, Fairfield Cheese Co. & Greenwich Cheese Co. (CT)
Co‑owner (ACS CCP) known for education‑forward retailing and for expanding access to artisan cheese via the Cheesemonger Box subscription.
Ken Monteleone
Owner & Creative Director, Fromagination (Madison, WI)
Founder and creative director who has showcased Wisconsin’s artisan cheese on Madison’s Capitol Square since 2007 with classes, gifting and cut‑to‑order service.
Saul Zabar
President & Proprietor, Zabar’s (New York, NY)
Longtime proprietor and president of the Upper West Side’s iconic specialty food emporium, home to one of NYC’s largest cheese selections.
Zach Berg
Co‑founder & Head Cheesemonger, Mongers’ Provisions (Detroit & Berkley, MI)
Co‑founder and head cheesemonger who expanded from Midtown Detroit to a larger Berkley flagship, centering cut‑to‑order cheese, craft chocolate, and education.
William (Will) Werner
Co‑founder, Mongers’ Provisions (Detroit & Berkley, MI)
Co‑founder who led growth from pop‑up to multi‑store specialty retailer with curated cheese, charcuterie and beverage programs.
Rob Graff
Owner, Venissimo Cheese (San Diego, CA)
Veteran cheesemonger and educator who took ownership in April 2025, continuing Venissimo’s 20‑plus‑year legacy and expanding classes, events, and community outreach.
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