Sarah Simiele, ACS CCP, is the owner and proprietor of The Curd Nerd, an independent cheese and specialty grocery store, and The Wedge, a cheese-centric restaurant focused on farm-to-table food, artisan cheese and consumer education. Both businesses are based in Syracuse, New York, where Sarah has built a career around championing artisan cheese, supporting small-scale producers and helping people discover new favourites.

Sarah’s career highlight came in 2023, when she won the Cheesemonger Invitational, competing against 38 cheesemongers from across the country in a multidisciplinary test of cheese knowledge, cutting and wrapping, presentation, service and practical skills. Having only entered the cheese industry in 2019 and opened her shop the previous year, the win was an unexpected and defining moment, reinforcing her confidence that she belonged in the profession.

Alongside running her businesses, Sarah is deeply involved in developing cheese education and supporting the wider industry. She serves as Vice Chair of the American Cheese Society’s Education Committee and Chair of its Webinar Sub-Committee, having contributed to educational programming, conference planning and professional development since 2023. She is also a founding member and former Executive Board member of the New York State Cheese Council, and has mentored competitive cheesemongers through Cheese State University’s Prep Lab programme.

Sarah holds the American Cheese Society’s Certified Cheese Professional (ACS CCP) credential and is a Cheese State Scholar, having completed Cheese State University’s The History, Culture, & Science of Cheese course and a course at Stanford University in 2023.

Career highlight: Winner of the 2023 Cheesemonger Invitational, competing against 38 cheesemongers

Cheese education: ACS Certified Cheese Professional (2023); Cheese State Scholar (2023); completed The History, Culture, & Science of Cheese course and a Stanford University course in 2023

Favourite aspect of the job: Helping customers discover a new favourite cheese and experience new flavours

Most frequently asked question: “What’s your favourite cheese?”

Career aspirations: Continue learning, grow her businesses, develop her expertise in charcuterie and wine, and create opportunities to educate and mentor future cheesemongers

Cheese hero: Kyra James, whose knowledge, kindness, mentorship and commitment to education have been a major influence