Black Radish Creamery
About Black Radish:
John Reese dreamed of a retirement in food with his wife Anne, however Anne raised the question “why not now?” and the couple set their sites on what has become a destination for award winning cheeses at a rare to find cut-to-order shop in the historic North Market. Using only the finest quality ingredients and focusing on consistency and technique, these two offer an extensive selection of cheeses, meats, preserves and charcuterie accompaniments. Not to mention the seasonal, local, and independently made cheeses they have created in the facility they have in Granville. Black Radish also offers a cheese club that allows you to expand on your cheese knowledge. No matter what flavor your palette desires, this shop staffed with knowledgeable cheese mongers will set you up with exactly what you are looking for.
How Did The Idea Come About?
From a nurse, personal trainer and flipping houses to finding his calling in food, specifically cheese, John was no stranger to hard work. Spending his childhood summers on an Amish farm, he learned the importance of those fresh quality ingredients and hard work required to achieve the couple’s goals. Anne had graduated with a degree in photography and had a passion for food photography. The two ended up in New York where John attended the Culinary Institute of America. After graduating, John started commuting to the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese and attending intensive week and two week long courses adding to his knowledge. John remembers visiting as many places as possible, devouring as much information as he could during that time. In 2011 they moved back to Ohio on a mission to make cheese which takes time. One of their favorite food memories came when they were on a trip through New England which led to the creation of the Billionaire preserves which became an instant sensation. They sold this at his sister’s store in Westerville on a fourth Friday event and experimenting with preserves became a focus while getting the cheese operations up and running.
What’s Your Favorite Thing About Being a Part of The North Market?
John and Anne love being a part of this community and the North Market history. Being able to work with each other and share their creations with not only Columbus but the vast diversity of visitors to the convention center means everything to them. This allows them to expose their award winning cheese to a much larger audience. Building relationships with North Market visitors, fellow merchants and making new friends is a gift they have welcomed. They feel lucky to have created a passionate and knowledgeable team that feels the same way they do about this wonderful opportunity. No matter who you talk to at Black Radish, you are in the right hands.
What are Must Have items?
- Talk to the cheese mongers, let them do their thing and you won’t be disappointed!
Story of Black Radish Creamery and John & Anne Reese:
The preserves were a beginning and way to start getting recognized. John and Anne spent years getting the cheese ready by testing, tasting and learning the science behind great cheese. The whole time they were producing different preserves anticipating eventually producing and selling the cheese they were so passionate about. Being a creamery without cheese they even had signs saying “the cheese is coming” as they continued this cheese journey. John and Anne joke that when they finally made the first cheese, they were celebrating and so happy they succeeded and say it wasn’t even that good. From there everything blossomed and they focused on consistency, ingredients and technique which paid off for them as they have won multiple awards for their cheese. They were happy to replace that old sign with a new one that proclaimed “The cheese is here!” The two now have a bustling cheese facility in Granville where the cheese is produced as well as the beautiful shop in the North Market.
Phone:
Downtown: (614) 517-9520
Website:
Merchant's operating hours:
Sunday & Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.