Partners

Laura Downey & Chris Palumbo

Laura Downey and Chris Palumbo are owners of the award- winning Fairfield and Greenwich Cheese Company in Connecticut.

With a passion for cheese, a retail and catering background, and a desire to fill a void in the local food landscape of southeastern Connecticut, Laura and Chris first opened Fairfield Cheese Company in May of 2009. Their goal was to bring the best artisan cheese and specialty foods to the Fairfield and Greenwich area and to educate their customers. Five years later, they expanded to a second location in the Cos Cob neighborhood of Greenwich. In 2017, they further bolstered their business by launching “Cheesemonger Box,” an e-commerce-only website that brings the cut-to-order cheese shop experience to cheese lovers around the country. 

Providing cheese education has always been at the center of everything they do, and the development of a weekly Cheese School has been a way to share their obsessive passion for cheese and the farmers and cheesemakers who produce it. While hosting day trips for staff and guests to learn first-hand about artisan cheese from nearby American cheesemakers has become customary, their passion for food and travel has taken them across America and to Europe to learn more about cheese, wine, charcuterie, and regional foods. 

As gracious hosts and cheese educators, they are a natural fit to co-host and collaborate with Anna of Cheese Journeys. Having already traveled with Cheese Journeys to France and Italy, Laura and Chris cannot wait to explore the fascinating world of British cheese along with their customers in England during the fall of 2022.

Emilio Mignucci

Emilio is a third generation owner at Di Bruno Bros. and serves as the Vice President of Culinary Pioneering. He’s always on the quest for the latest and greatest eats, and loves telling the stories behind them. His expertise and passion for food has helped him to grow the cheese offerings at Di Bruno Bros. from the 50 varieties it offered in its earlier days to well over 600 cheeses from all over the world–each with their own unique story. He helped write the esteemed Certified Cheese Professional Exam—the highest standard for cheese professionals, and has been recognized for his work in the food industry. In 2010, the Italian Trade Commission acclaimed Emilio for “Distinguished Service” in importing, representing, and educating on Italian Food and Culture. The James Beard Foundation also honored him for his help in making Philadelphia a world-class food city. 

Emilio first gave Cheese Journeys' guests an inside look at Philly's famous Italian Market  (similar tour to the legendary one he gave Anthony Bourdain). Emilio, is often spending time in Italy himself, visiting family and friends, and sourcing out unique and delicious specialties for DiBrunos. He is a perfect partner to co-host with Tenaya, aka Madame Fromage, on Anna's Northern Italy tour. 

Andrea & Bryan McGinness

Driven by their love of fine wine, food, and travel, as well as the desire to be closer to family, Andrea and Bryan McGinness left the East Coast in 2006, took their 20 years of corporate sales and finance experience, and opened a WineStyles franchise in West Des Moines, Iowa. Over time, the WineStyles Tasting Station concept evolved into something more than just a boutique wine shop - it was a destination where customers could join others who wanted to Taste, Learn and Enjoy™ the best wines, artisanal cheese, chocolates, craft beers and other specialty foods. After six years of success, Andrea and Bryan wanted to “go big” and purchased the entire WineStyle concept and franchise in 2012, overseeing and providing support for up to 15 stores in various regions across the US.

Since they most enjoy helping their customers understand the wines they choose, Andrea and Bryan curate educational wine and food events every week. As guests shop for and taste wine, these gatherings have a “Cheers- style” atmosphere and have become a place “where everyone knows your name.”

While Andrea and Bryan have spent years traveling to Europe in search of unique, premier wines, it was after having enjoyed trips to France and England with Cheese Journeys that they began working with Anna and her team to share this type of custom wine, cheese, and food travel with their customers. With this collaboration in full-swing, we’re thrilled to offer a trip to Northern Italy for WineStyles guests from June 21 to July 3, 2022. If you can’t make this adventure, don’t worry, other destinations are in works.