Connoisseur, collector, purveyor. To gourmets who regard fine food as fine art, Norbert Wabnig is the impresario of cheese. Indeed, Wabnig has traveled the world selecting the rarest and most exquisite cheeses for The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills.
Born in Vienna, Austria to a theatrical family, there was always music in the Wabnig house. In 1955, Wabnig’s family moved to foodie haven New Orleans. But he spent his summers in Vienna. His uncle owned a restaurant in the theatre district, which was patronized by famous international actors such as Oscar Werner and Klaus Maria Brandauer. At age 12, Wabnig began working behind the counter and in the kitchen, and fell in love with it. “I really enjoyed my summer sojourns. The atmosphere was very exciting – there was always something going on,” Wabnig recalls.
Music Meets Cheese
Wabnig attended the University of New Orleans studying political science, with a minor in philosophy, but is an accomplished musician in his own right. Upon graduation, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his musical career. When he realized that he would have to get a “day job” to support his music, it was only natural that he would find himself at The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, working in the store by day and playing music at night.
According to Wabnig, one thing led to another and eventually he had the opportunity to buy the business in 1978. “My family pushed very hard to help make it happen. For me, the store recreates the joy I experienced as a child working in my uncle’s restaurant,” Wabnig notes. At that time, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills was more like an upscale chain store in style. Wabnig refined the store and gave it the European image, attracting celebrities and other notables just like his family’s restaurant in Vienna.
Have Cheese Will Travel
In his quest for true artisanal cheese, Wabnig has trekked over hill and dale, visiting farms and fields, as well as major international trade shows in Paris, Cologne, and Parma. According to Wabnig, he chooses his cheeses wisely. The eye, taste, rarity, and availability of the product inspire him. Throughout the years, he has tasted thousands of cheeses, many with interesting stories attached.
“Because of my travels I’ve met some farmers and cheese producers that have given me tastes of some very special handmade delicacies they usually keep just for themselves and their families. Many of these rarities I get to offer to my customers,” Wabnig remarks.
Wabnig acknowledges that his travels give him a broad overview of what is being served in Europe, and clients of The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills recognize this because many of them are world travelers themselves. Today, Wabnig spends most of his time at the store, gathering information from his extensive network in the major cheese producing regions of France, Italy, Spain, England, Norway, Germany, and Austria.
Just Your Friendly Neighborhood Cheese Store
“For me, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills is a great place for people who enjoy good food and good living, and like to meet others with the same interests,” Wabnig remarks. “We are very excited about expanding the business through the Internet, but I will always remain in this location, because I enjoy the friendliness and energy of the store itself. We enjoy the chitchat with customers about our new products and foods and wines they’ve come across on their travels. The atmosphere is very friendly and informal.
“We’ve been known to host late night jam sessions upstairs and private tasting dinners with well-known chefs and wineries. What we sell is not a staple; it’s a way of enjoying life. People don’t dome to The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills because they have to, but for pleasure,” Wabnig concludes.
Wabnig resides in Topanga with his wife, and menagerie of dogs, cats, and birds, who are also cheese lovers. The couple have two children. < less
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