DRINKS WITH CHEESE 202 3 culturecheesemag.com 57
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C H A N T A L ' S C H E E S E S H O P
Anaïs Saint-André Loughran, co-owner
Anaïs Saint-André Loughran and her husband, Chris
Loughran, opened Chantal's Cheese Shop in 2018 to bring a
new kind of cheese experience to Pittsburgh.
Born in Lyon, France, Anaïs always considered good
cheese a part of her life. But it wasn't until she moved to New
York City and began working at Greene Grape Provisions
in Brooklyn that she decided to pursue a career in cheese.
She and her husband, a Pennsylvania native, moved to
Pittsburgh to open their dream shop, which they named for
Anaïs' late mother. In addition to an expertly curated cheese
selection, the shop offers classes, catering, and even raclette
equipment rentals.
1. Which cheese are you most excited about right now?
Why? I think right now I am so excited about Amber Kunik
from Nettle Meadow Farm in upstate New York. This little one
is made of goat's milk with some cow's cream added. It is a
triple crème that has been washed with Adirondack beer and
bourbon and aged longer than the regular Kunik. As you cut
into it, it almost breaks into shards, yet it is still buttery and rich
on the palate. It kind of blew my mind the first time I tried it.
2. Favorite summer cheese and beverage pairing? My
all-time favorite during the summer is goat cheese and a
rosé f rom the Provence region of France. I love a wonderful
goat cheese. One of those aged goat cheeses, with a
gooey creamline and chalky yet fudgy center, like Shabby
Shoes—a play on the French Chabichou—f rom Blakesville
Creamery in Wisconsin.
3. Favorite winter cheese and beverage pairing? It might be
cliché but I love blue cheese and port. I don't do it enough, but
it is one of my favorites. Jack's Blue from Parish Hill Creamery,
for example, is a great one. The Stilton-style blue is firm yet
fudgy, not too strong, with some notes of earth and hay.
4402 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15224
chantalscheese.com
