By Daisy Polowetzky, Photo By Dana Ward (Unsplash)

Did someone say cheese? Located in Syracuse’s homey Eastwood neighborhood is The Curd Nerd, a specialty cheese and charcuterie store founded by microbiologist-turned-cheesemonger, Sarah Simiele. The Queens native founded the small business in 2022, after her now-husband, Matt Simele, got a job in Syracuse as an engineer in 2020.  Matt handled the shop’s paperwork and finances and learned about cheese so he could assist at the counter.  The plan was not to stay in central New York, though, in fact, Simile planned to only lay down roots for five years. Flash forward two years, due to the success of her business and her love of Eastwood, which she says is the closest Syracuse has to a neighborhood like Queens, it seems that Simiele is here to stay. 

The Curd Nerd sells a wide variety of cheeses ranging from blue cheeses and cheddars, to fresh and hard cheeses. While the shop is local to Syracuse, customers can experience the taste of cheeses from around the world, with varieties imported from Switzerland, Ireland, and France. But if cheese isn’t enough for shoppers, The Curd Nerd also sells cured meats, butters, and jams, among other offerings. True cheese lovers can even order a cheese cake (yes, a literal cake made out of cheese) on The Curd Nerd’s website. Outside of The Curd Nerd, Simiele can be found hosting events at other locations in Syracuse, such as the Eastwood Brewing Company and Salt City Market.

At a recent Italian cheese tasting class supporting the Kitchen Literacy Project, a non-profit that aims to teach free culinary skills to Syracuse youth, Simiele taught locals about the burrata making process, the distinctions between blue cheeses, and the surprising counterfeit cheese problem that occurs in Italy. Simiele also answered attendees’ questions about her unique transition into the cheese business, speaking about her past life as a burnt-out high schooler with medical school dreams, who realized while attending Binghamton University and helping to start a cheese club that a doctor’s life was not for her. Today, Simiele is a Certified Cheese Expert, which despite its name, is an extremely serious title that few American cheese mongers hold. In order to be considered a Certified Cheese Expert, one must work with cheese for at least 4,000 hours and complete a test that even contains what Simiele calls “cheese math.” For now, Simile aims to make her products accessible to the Syracuse community and help customers find their next favorite cheese. Just like a good cheddar cheese, The Curd Nerd is a business that is sure to age well.