We had the good fortune of connecting with Rich Rogers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rich, what do you attribute your success to?
I think there are two key things that factor into our success. The first is our dedication to supporting amazing, small producers who make traditional, high quality cheese. These cheeses aren’t always readily available, they take work on our part to bring in, but the end result is a selection that is unlike any other in Dallas. The second factor is our commitment to delivering exceptional customer service. We want to be the best part of each guest’s day, and while delivering great service takes hard work, we look at our job as “Cheese Enthusiasts” as a noble profession. When a guest’s eyes light up because they have just tasting something mind-blowing, there is no better feeling as a cheesemonger.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The center of our universe is the cheese case, but my favorite part f what we do is education. We want to share our excitement about cheese with others, so whether it’s someone’s first visit or one of many, we love to tell the stories of the cheesemaker and the beautiful wedges they create. One of the key education components are the classes we do at our Oak Lawn location. Each class has a different theme, whether it is a region of production like Italy or a cheese style like cheddar, we focus in on that theme. The best part is that while there is plenty of information, guests taste along throughout the class and tasting is the best way to learn about food and beverage.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas has so much to do and see and more importantly so much to eat! A stop a Parigi is a must as Janice and her team make delicious food including a killer appetizer of fried mushrooms and a truffle butter dipping sauce. A stop a Black Swan for a perfect cocktail is also a must. With multiple nights I would hit up Mot Hai Ba and Gemma two of my absolute favorites and if they were playing a home game, taking someone to see Dallas’ first professional women’s soccer team, Dallas Trinity FC at the “Iconic” Cotton Bowl would top off any weekend!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of my business mentors is Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I have taken classes through Zing-Train and read almost all of Ari’s books. His thoughts on servant leadership and service have shaped who I am as a small business owner and helped mold our business.

Website: https://www.scardellocheese.com

Instagram: scardellocheese

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