jews d
nosh

in
the

o n t h e c o v e r
eats | drinks | sweets

Say
Cheese!

Zach Berg wants to share
his love of cheese with
Metro Detroiters.

ALLISON JACOBS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOS BY JERRY ZOLYNSKY

E

ver heard of the term “cheesemonger?” This old
English title for a cheese expert is rarely used in our
vocabulary these days, but you might want to get
more familiar with this longtime profession.
West Bloomfield native Zach Berg is a bonafide
cheesemonger in our midst — and a good one, too. His
love for cheese emerged in 2008, when he started working
at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor.
Berg completed his education at the Culinary Institute
of America in Napa Valley and then ran the cheese depart-
ment for several years at a specialty grocery store in San
Francisco. After immersing himself in the world of cheese,
he captivated audiences with his knowledge and landed
in second place at the Cheesemongers Invitational in San
Francisco.
He describes being a cheesemonger as a fun combina-
tion of storytelling and food service. He credits his father,
the late Richard Berg, for his natural ability to talk in front
of a crowd. Richard served as a past president at Beth
Shalom Synagogue in Oak Park and frequently held story-
telling gigs at local synagogues and Tamarack Camps.
“I get to take the best of my father and tell stories about
these wonderful food producers around the world,” Berg
says.
Once he was established, he ventured back to Michigan
in June 2016. He moved in with a friend in Birmingham,
eager to get acquainted with the local food scene.
“The excitement and focus on food is so different than
when I left,” Berg says. “I ultimately wanted to be back
here.”
Since settling in back home, the still-single Berg has
begun reconnecting with old friends, such as fellow Hillel
Day School alum Rabbi Dan Horwitz of The Well, who
recently profiled Berg as a “Nice Jewish Person” on his
organization’s website. So maybe he won’t remain single
too much longer.

jn

March 2 • 2017

43

