I have often thought that if I didn’t become a photographer, that I might have become a chef. I especially love to cook for friends and family and one time for a group of chefs (that is another story for another day). So, when I get an editorial food assignment, I am very excited. This story for Our State Magazine, was about mountain cheesemakers in North Carolina and my first stop was with Victor Chiarizia of Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery. He has the only cheese cave in the state and Victor’s cheese is made from aged local raw milk from Looking Glass Creamery (stay tuned for another post).
The cave has a beautiful stone entryway that looks like it belongs in the Shire. Victor opened the mysterious door and led me into a completely dark antechamber which helps to keep the inner cheese cave at the proper temperature and humidity. He opened another heavy door and we stepped inside the actual cheese cave, called the “Blue Room”. It was truly wonderful to see the natural rock that the cave is built into. Shelves were lined with rounds of pungent cheeses: blues, naked cheddars, asiago and one called Johnny Valdez that is dusted in coffee grounds. The smell was earthy and pungent and full of the promise of delicious cheese. Pure heaven for turophiles!
Victor gave a tour of the cheeses and graciously answered all my questions and then we shot some portraits. The best thing is that he let me stay in the cave as long as I wanted to photograph!
“Life is great. Cheese makes it better.”
I thought it was touching that Victor had been aging some cheese since 2024 - a gift for his partner Tricia’s upcoming milestone birthday.
“Age is of no importance unless you’re a cheese.””
I just love that Victor broke out a big piece of cheese to eat while he was working at his computer. He gave me a piece to take home and I purchased some other cheese. It was so delicious!
See more images and read Hannah Lee Leidy’s delightful article in the May issue
of Our State Magazine: “In Search of Mountain Cheeses”
HURRICANE HELENE
As you may know, many mountain communities in North Carolina, were devastated by floods that were brought by Helene in the fall of 2024. I could definitely see her wake all over as I drove towards the mountains to photograph this assignment. As I pulled into the driveway at Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery, I realized the bridge was washed out. I had to call Victor and ask for help. He drove his van through the little stream and up the rough hill to rescue me. We piled all the equipment in and down we went. I was overwhelmed by the damage from the storm. Victor explained that his house and workshop (Victor is a very accomplished glass blower as well) were filled with mud and the whole landscape had been wiped out. Where there had once been trees and a gazebo and beautiful plants was now just empty land with rocks. The Creamery used to welcome many guests for tours and workshops but now visiting is by appointment only.
I admire Victor’s tenacity and grit. The clean up had been going for a year when I arrived and it will a long time until things are in order. Thankfully the cheese cave survived the flooding and he was able to get the cheese making up and running at least in part.
If you have the opportunity to visit Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery, please go!
BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN CREAMERY (by appointment only)
327 Flat Creek Road
Fairview, NC 28730
(828) 551-5739