About Sophie.
Who actually loves talking about themselves? Lots of people I guess….not me..that’s for sure…but here goes for those of you who are interested..
It all began with me working for one of the very early wood fired pizza businesses in Sth Yarra where I met Will Studd. I was 19. Will was about to launch Calendar Cheese Company & I came on board in the very early 90’s, just me, Will & his brother in law. I had a few well known chefs I looked after and Will then sent me off to learn how to make cheese in different dairy regions in Australia.
In 1997 Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder opened, where I managed the humidified temperature controlled cheeseroom for around 10 years. After leaving RHC&L and consulting within the cheese & hospo industry, we moved to the Yarra Valley with our young family, four months before the Black Saturday fires. In 2012 I was honoured to receive a Guildes des Fromagers membership, one of the 16 members in Australia. Working with gun Hospo royalty ( owners of the HV Hotel & Kitchen & Butcher) we built a beautiful copper cabinet housing many of my favourite cheeses from around the world. The cheese component was so well received & I stayed there building up the cheese dept for almost 10 years. I began looking for a business of my own after an ownership change & settled up the Northern end of Healesville’s pretty main street.
The Fromagerie.
This little Fromagerie in Healesville right in the heart of the Yarra Valley, is the culmination of all my cheese dreams.
Bringing together my 25+ years in the cheese industry, in a curated selection from around the globe, temperature controlled fridges brimming with European and local cheeses & (coming soon- a maturation room to ripen cheeses that need time to fulfil their flavour destiny.) Filled local bagels and French baguettes with simple ingredients ....think Serrano Jamon, Manchego, house olive anchoiiade & rocket or Smoky Free Range Ham, Comté & Dijon, Local baking genius Bear & Bagels Sesame Bagel with smoked salmon, horseradish créme fraiche, capers & local pickles...and becoming a cult favourite, the Croque Monsieur, a decadent béchamel with all the melty cheeses, smoked ham, toasted to gooey perfection.
Cheese boards are special at Cheesemonger Sophie, cheese is served at the perfect temperature & condition and we are working on a wine licence so you can enjoy a glass or two, or even pick up a bottle. Sit in store and soak up the intoxicating smells or out on the street & watch the passing parade under the gorgeous Plane tree.
