We are proprietors of Bedford Cheese Shop, running day-to-day operations on behalf of our fellow co-owners.  Just like cheese & crackers, rock & roll and peanut butter & jelly - some things are just better together!  Together, we work hard to foster an environment that allows our Team to develop and expand their knowledge and skills as cheesemongers.  All of us at Bedford Cheese Shop are passionate about the amazing cheeses, charcuterie and unique pantry items that we select for the Shop.  We are even more passionate about sharing these items with our Customers, both new and longstanding.  We figure - if we are doing it right - spreading our knowledge and enthusiasm ultimately allows us to support the many talented small-batch, farmstead and handmade producers from lands local, domestic and and international.  More than ever, we understand first-hand how every single Customer interaction creates a positive ripple effect in a small business like ours that works with fellow small businesses.  It's this ripple effect that inspires us each and every day!  PS - we also LOVE to laugh.  A lot.

Meet Zoey Sachs, Cheesemonger and Director of Education. Hailing from Brooklyn, Zoey has been working in the cheese industry for more than ten years. Whether you find her behind the cheese case, or teaching “Cheese 101: How to Become a Curd Nerd”, Zoey balances her deep knowledge and experience with her quick wit and dry humor creating a memorable experience for every customer, be they cheese novices or affeciantos! Zoey loves offering customers the chance to explore, and expand, their flavor preferences by guiding them through tasting delicious standbys as well as unique and seasonal selections. Her current obsession is anything from Lazy Lady Farm in Vermont. A highlight for Zoey was competing in the elite Cheesemonger Invitational (which solidified her cheesemonger status)! Fun Fact: Zoey’s most unusual pairing suggestion - potato chips, truffle mousse and a small French chèvre, washed down with a sip of Bourbon..yes Bourbon!

Meet Dan Robinson, Cheesemonger and Cheese Buyer, hailing from across the pond - Kent, England. Chat him up, as he loves to share stories and lesser-known facts while sampling cheese selections you never knew you wanted (and, let’s face it, everything sounds better in a charming British accent)! Dan became fascinated with cheese as a child when visiting Calais and Ghent during family holidays. He was captivated by how “each wheel is the embodiment of the community and the land in which it was made”. Since he began his cheesemonger training in Portland OR, Cheddar has remained one of Dan’s true loves. That said, Dan spends a lot of his time working with domestic and international cheesemakers to curate Bedford Cheese Shop’s exceptional cheese case. A pairing he currently recommends is the funky delight of Tulip Tree Foglove along with Catskill Provisions Fall Honey, and a cheeky glass of Port; “it will make for a delightful treat”. Fun Fact: Dan once heard bloomy cheeses, such as brie and camembert, were historically prescribed by doctors for a range of ailments in France. Given that they are a probiotic - it doesn't seem too far fetched!

Meet Jaclyn Studer, Cheesemonger for our Irving shop. Her initial interest in cheese was sparked by a fated trip to a renowned cheese shop while she was living in New Orleans. Now, as a seasoned cheesemonger, Jaclyn loves to engage with customers, teasing out flavors of interest and leading them on a cheese journey complementing their palate profile. She also enjoys the opportunity to demystify certain cheeses. Often, she will recommend a tasting of blues; in her opinion they are the most misunderstood and delicious with a wide range of flavor tones. Perhaps one of her favorite pairings to suggest is Rodolphe Le Meunier Crémeux des Citeaux with black truffle with a beautiful bottle of Yarden Blanc de Blan. Fun Fact: Mood, moment, season and company will always shift what your favorite cheese experience is, don’t hold back, try everything, create a memory!

In 2009 Danilo embarked on a mission to become a butcher, however the cheese world had other plans. During his first days on the job, a head cheese buyer noticed Danilo's interest in "the curds" and decided to develop his knowledge and palate. It was love at first bite! Within a year Danilo learned about the history of many cheeses, including their terrier, milks and production. Discussing about his years, hands deep in curds, one of his favorite cheesemonger job aspects is working with customers; teasing out what they enjoy and how adventurous they are willing to be and from there, pulling together an exciting assortment of options, and if asked about pairings he offers two unique suggestions; Montenebro and pickled blackberries with a lovely Malbec or Parmigiano Reggiano with pickled watermelon rinds and a medium bodied white wine. At Bedford Cheese Shop his current favorite cheese options are Adarre, Carbicharme and Boxcarr Cottonseed and he looks forward to serving one and all.