At Di Bruno Bros., our slogan is “Celebrating Great Food and Great People since 1939.” We strive to align ourselves with meaningful companies comprised of passionate employees who proudly represent the cheese maker. Few companies, if any, live up to this mantra like Essex Street Cheese.
Daphne Zepos and Essex Street Cheese
Essex Street was founded by Jason Hinds and Daphne Zepos, who believed that if they focus on fewer cheeses, they can work directly with the cheese makers to assure the highest quality. In fact, when Essex first began operations in 2006, they imported only one cheese: Comte Marcel Petit. Since that time, they have expanded to a still-modest nine cheeses, and it is safe to say that each of these cheeses represent the best of their categories in the world.
Tragically, Daphne passed away last year from lung cancer. Daphne was not only the founder of Essex Street Cheese, but she was an enthusiastic educator and friend, and served to inspire countless cheese mongers at Di Bruno Brothers and around the country. In her memory, the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award has been established. This annual award is given out annually in the form of a scholarship, enabling the winner to travel, study, learn, return and educate.
Before Daphne was diagnosed, I had the great pleasure of touring Holland and France with her. The trip remains one of my life’s highlights. Being able to meet cheese makers, to shake their hands and take photographs, is the best way to instill knowledge in the monger. Not only could I ask questions directly, I obtained answers to questions I would not otherwise have thought to ask.
This was Daphne’s vision: a streamlined source of information from producer to retailer. And there is no better way to support this vision than by contributing to the DZTA fund.
Rock Stars of Cheese Dinner
With this in mind, on June 26th we will be hosting four cheese makers/representatives from the Essex arsenal: Giorgio Cravero (Parmigiano Reggiano), Jose Luis (Manchego 1605), Philippe Goux (Comte Marcel Petit) and Betty Koster (L’Amuse Gouda). For good measure, Jamie Montgomery (Montgomery’s Cheddar) will be joining them. Our chefs will put together a menu, one cheese per course, each course paired with a beer from Brooklyn Brewery. Tickets are $100, which includes all the food, beer and one copy of our new book. All proceeds go to the DZTA.
This will undoubtedly be a great night, not only for the cause but for the experience. Five legitimate Rock Stars of Cheese in one room, each representing their cheese, each cheese paired with a phenomenal beer, all while raising money for a great cause. Please make time to be there. You will not be disappointed!
