Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1491491
C O O K I N G W I T H C H E E S E 202 3 culturecheesemag.com 79 CAPELLA CHEESE 255 Ottley Drive, Suite 110 Atlanta, Ga. capellacheese.com Raymond Hook and Clay Jackson Opened: July 9, 2022 Atlanta is a city with almost everything in terms of food, but until last summer it was missing one key ingredient: a world-class cheese shop. With nearly 40 years of experience in the cheese industry, Raymond Hook was the perfect person for the job. Hook and his business partner, Clay Jackson, opened Capella Cheese in July 2022. "Our goal was to develop a cheese shop where the greatest cheesemakers in the world would want their cheese to be sold," says Hook. He describes his new venture as "a cut- to-order shop with a strong sampling program; we let people try anything in the store." Not only can customers taste to their heart's content, but they can also catch a glimpse of fresh mozzarella being made. Hook is most proud of Capella's temperature-controlled cheese rooms. "We have three specialized rooms to hold cheese in: one for hard cheese, one for blue cheese and washed rinds, and one for white bloomy rinds and soft-ripened cheese," he says. Capella Cheese has received rave reviews and has been embraced by the city. "Whether they're just starting their cheese journey or an expert with lots of knowledge, we love helping people find the right cheese." CANYON GROCER 169 W Channel Road Santa Monica, Calif. kurtandwhey.com Kurt Gurdal Opened: Labor Day weekend 2022 Kurt Gurdal always knew he would one day open his own cheese shop. Born and raised in Boston, he grew up working behind the counter of his parents' famed shop, Formaggio Kitchen. "It's in my blood and something I have so much passion for," Gurdal says, "I love being in the community and sharing that passion with customers." He sharpened his cheese chops at Neal's Yard Dairy in London before returning home to Boston and the family business, where he worked his way up to general manager. After moving to Southern California, Gurdal started making charcuterie boards as a low-cost way to start building a business and brand—cleverly named Kurt and Whey—with a plan to expand when the time was right. This past Labor Day weekend, he opened Canyon Grocer, a neighborhood shop in the beachy town of Santa Monica with a broad selection of gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and pantry staples. For Gurdal, it's all about sharing his enthusiasm for food and creating a sense of community. "The customer base I've built already in these few months makes me tingle with happiness."