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Goat cheese producer in North Alabama expands business
A North Alabama goat cheese producer has expanded its business and looks poised to vastly increase its product line in the coming months. Belle Chevre, based in Elkmont, recently acquired goat cheese brand CHEVOO, expanding its position in the specialty goat cheese category.
This is a big expansion for the small company, as the brand expansion almost doubles Bell Chevre’s product offering. Here are the details:
Read more: Goat cheese producer in North Alabama expands businessAbout Belle Chevre
Belle Chevre has been handcrafting traditional and original goat cheeses in North Alabama since 1989, combining European cheesemaking techniques with an innovative approach.
Belle Chevre’s artisan chevre and cream cheeses are mild yet distinct in taste and texture, reflecting the care with which they are made for the contemporary cheese lover.
The company has been owned and operated by CEO Foster McDonald of Huntsville since 2019, and got into the business because of his passion for Belle Chevre’s product.
And when the opportunity arose to acquire Califormia-based CHEVOO’s product line, McDonald jumped at the chance.
What expansion means for Belle Chevre
You may be familiar with CHEVOO goat cheese products, as they’ve been available at national grocery chains — the company offers marinated goat cheese cubes in a variety of flavors.
McDonald said CHEVOO already has a fantastic product and he became aware through a common supplier of the opportunity to acquire the company’s product line, and moved forward with the acquisition.
McDonald said he sees the CHEVOO products being the premier product line of the company.
And by adding CHEVOO’s iconic range of marinated goat cheeses to its current line-up of items, Belle Chevre will expand its position in the specialty cheese section.
CHEVOO’s product range consists of five flavors of marinated chèvre cubes, all sold in 4-oz glass jars:
- Herbes de Provence: After mixing the classic, aromatic French culinary herbs through the goat cheese, it is then paired with an EVOO blend that has been lightly infused with garlic.
- Smoked Salt & Rosemary: Goat cheese mixed with smoked sea salt and cracked pepper, in a rosemary-infused EVOO blend.
- Dill Pollen & Garlic: Goat cheese combined with locally harvested dill pollen, in a garlic-infused EVOO blend.
- Urfa Chili & Lemon: Goat cheese incorporated with Urfa chili peppers, marinated in a lemon-infused EVOO blend.
- Italian Black Truffle: Italian black truffles have been gently folded through the goat cheese, naturally infusing the neutral EVOO blend with the earthiness of the aromatic truffles.
“As someone passionate about innovation in the goat cheese industry, I was always enamored with the CHEVOO brand. The unique flavor combinations are a result of not only flavoring the oils, but hand-blending the goat cheese with herbs & spices, too! I think this full dimension of flavor is truly what sets CHEVOO apart.”
Foster McDonald, CEO/Owner, Belle Chevre
A winning team
With the addition of the CHEVOO product line, McDonald has expanded his team to include cheese industry veteran Pierre Guérin as a strategic business partner with sales and marketing as his primary focus.
With more than 25 years of expertise in the specialty food industry, Guérin has worked for CPG companies in North America and Europe, notably as president of Couturier North America, the US subsidiary of Eurial – the largest producer of goat cheese in the world.
Guérin has also held various positions at Savencia and Andros (Bonne Maman) and is currently working with La Fromagerie Henri Hutin to develop its Brie sales in the U.S.
“It’s exciting to join Foster and the Belle Chevre team for this new adventure. I’m pleased to restart a brand that has flourished for many years in a category that continues to see consistent growth.”
Pierre Guérin, Belle Chevre
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