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Spaulding Interviews ACS CCP, Laura Downey of Fairfield Cheese Company

By marcellaPosted on
laura downeySince our original interview with Laura, she has opened a second cheese shop in Greenwich, Ct. Congratulations!!
Spaulding: Laura, congratulations on achieving the level of American Cheese Society’s Certified Cheese Professional. The Lady will be taking the exam this July in Madison and she is as nervous as a feline in a room full of rocking chairs… but I have faith in her… after all if her friend Brandon can pass, then… did I say that out loud???
Please tell us about yourself and your cheese journey.
Laura: I am co-owner of Fairfield Cheese Company which was founded in May 2009. I am a former retail professional and a life long food obsessed person who has turned my passion into a thriving business in my community. I am behind the counter most days and also continue to operate and grow this small business. I have always been a learner, so learning about cheese and how to open and run a retail shop has been a thrill and a challenge. I am quite proud of our accomplishments so far- Since opening our doors in May of 2009, we have quickly become the area’s premier source for artisanal cheese and we are the recipient of CT Magazine’s 2011 & 2012 Best Cheese Selection in CT and also were mentioned in Food & Wine Magazine Online as a top 5 place to buy cheese in the US by cheese expert Laura Werlin. It has been a whirl wind but I continue to absorb as much as I can about cheese and business.
 
Spaulding: What is your favorite pairing? 
Laura: This is a hard one. I love a really great blue cheese, like Bayley Hazen Blue, smeared on a great baguette and topped with some local honeycomb. I love the salty sweet combo.
Spaulding: Your favorite cheese plate:
Laura: My favorite cheese plate would be served after dinner. It probably would have a triple cream like MT. Tam, a washed rind like Hooligan, a nice Alpine style like Pleasant Ridge Reserve and maybe Gorgonzola Cremificato. I would drink some Moscato d’Asti with it.
Spaulding: And your favorite grilled cheese?
Laura: I don’t have a favorite grilled cheese- I love any good,melted cheese between 2 slices of nice bread. As long as the cheese and bread are good quality and there is butter involved I am in!
Spaulding: Tell us something non-cheesy about yourself.
Laura: I spent my grade school years living in Europe. 
Spaulding: If you could have dinner with any person, alive or historical, who would it be and why?
Laura: If I get to have a dinner date these days it would have to be reserved for my husband. He is a bit neglected these days because of the business!
On behalf of Spaulding, I thank Laura for taking time away from her busy schedule and her neglected husband to answer a few questions.
 
Please visit Laura’s shop next time you are in Fairfield, Ct. or at her website anytime:
Laura Downey ACS, CCP

Fairfield Cheese Company
2090 Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824

My thanks to everyone participating in my 2015 Virtual Q&A with Cheese Professionals. I hope all of you, my loyal readers, are enjoying this as much as I am…

Interviews with All Cheese Professionals: Cheesemakers and Cheese Professionals

Interviews will continue throughout 2015… sometimes, they will be “stand-alone” and sometimes they will be presented as round-table discussions with several Cheese Professionals answering the same question. Those participating includeCheesemakers, ACS CCPs™, Cheesemongers and Cheese Professionals and Experts who contribute to this Wonderful World we call “Cheese”.

List of all Interviews from 2013: Cheesemakers, Cheesemongers.

List of 2015 Cheese Professionals.

List of all Cheese Professionals Bios.

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