Pastoral: Artisan Cheese in the Windy City
Filed under: Dining
Chicago is known more for its deep-dish pizza than for its cheese, but then again, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine has only been around for five years. Founded in 2004 by Greg O'Neill and Ken Miller, the purveyor of artisan cheese, bread and wine has carved a European-style niche in the Windy City. Pastoral is also a nominee for a Luxist Award for Best Cheese Shop.
Through its two brick-and-mortar locations in Chicago and across the country via mail order, Pastoral aims to make haute cuisine accessible to both discerning connoisseurs and eager masses. The outfit offers over 150 kinds of cheese -- made in small batches and cut to order -- in addition to ten types of freshly baked artisan bread, gourmet olives and cured meats.
O'Neill and Miller are well equipped to run Pastoral. The former boasts a two-decade career in marketing, working around the world for firms including Motorola, Verizon and Colgate-Palmolive; the latter trained as a chef at Peter Kump's New York Cooking School and studied under chef David Waltuck at Chanterelle, a renowned Big Apple eatery, and later went on to do programming work for the Navy's nuclear submarines before finding his true calling in cheese.
Pastoral's wares can be seen, browsed and ordered -- but, unfortunately, not sniffed -- at www.pastoralartisan.com. The company ships nationwide.
Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed in Gourmet Foods. Readers' Choice Awards for Food will be announced on November 30th.
PHOTOS: Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction
Live from Microsoft's New Generation Xbox event!
PHOTOS: This Is The Best Response To Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries We've Seen Yet
Xbox Reveal liveblog on Joystiq
Dozens Killed in Oklahoma Tornado; Death Toll to Rise
Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Justin Bieber Booed, Gets Standing Ovation at Billboard Music Awards
2013 Billboard Music Awards Best and Worst Dressed
JODI ARIAS WANTS LIFE
Watch: Kansas Meteorologist Seeks Shelter From Tornado
Xbox One architecture panel liveblog!
Oklahoma Senators Face Difficult Options On Disaster Relief
Two Pilots Fired After Brazilian Pop Star Takes Captain's Seat Mid-Flight
Selena Gomez Leaving Justin Bieber's House: Booty Call Rumors Swirl
WATCH: Mom's Emotional Reunion With Son After Tornado
WATCH: Tornado Victim Finds Dog During CBS Interview
CBS Pulls 'Mike & Molly' Tornado-Set Finale
Who Won 'DWTS'?
PHOTOS: Tornado Devastates Moore, Oklahoma
Police END Search For Susan Powell
Grossed Out Student Finds "Worm" In His McMuffin
Rescuers Continue Search For Tornado Survivors
PHOTOS: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc On Central U.S.
Justin Bieber BOOED While Accepting Award
LOOK: The 14 Most Endangered Heritage Sites In Europe
Mila Kunis And Ashton Kutcher Put Their Romance On Display
15 Incredible Cat Photobombs
Guess Who?
WATCH: Tornadoes Rip Through Central U.S.
Student Expelled, Charged With Felonies For Same-Sex Relationship
Stefon Marries Anderson Cooper In Final Show