Murray's Cheese

Murray's Cheese
Name	Murray's Cheese
Type	Private
Industry	Retail
Founded	1962
Founder	???
Headquarters	New York City

Murray's Cheese is a specialty retail and artisan cheese purveyor based in New York City known for curated selections, aging programs, and education. The company operates retail shops, a cheese cave, an online storefront, and a program of tastings, classes, and wholesale distribution. Murray's has engaged with a broad network of cheese producers, culinary institutions, and media outlets, influencing American artisanal cheese consumption and restaurant sourcing.

History

Murray's emerged during the postwar specialty food expansion in Manhattan and later intersected with movements led by Alice Waters, Paul Bocuse, Julia Child, James Beard, and Marcella Hazan that popularized artisanal ingredients. Throughout the late 20th century Murray's connected to importers and distributors such as D'Artagnan (company), Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and Zatarain's while contemporaneous with retailers like Dean & DeLuca, Eataly (New York City), and Zabar's. In the 2000s Murray's expansion paralleled developments at Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's, and Fairway Market as American palates shifted under influences from chefs including Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert, and Alice Waters. The company’s trajectory intersected with the rise of standards and certification discussions involving entities such as Slow Food, Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, and Specialty Food Association. Corporate milestones overlapped with acquisitions and partnerships in the broader food retail sector involving firms like Kroger, Amazon (company), and LVMH-linked ventures, while media attention came from outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bon Appétit (magazine), Food & Wine (magazine), and Eater (website).

Locations and Facilities

Murray's flagship presence has been centered in Manhattan neighborhoods proximate to Greenwich Village, Chelsea, SoHo, and Union Square while servicing boroughs and suburbs adjacent to Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx. The company has operated retail counters within larger grocery environments similar to arrangements seen at Whole Foods Market (Upper West Side), Gotham West Market, and pop-ups akin to those at Smorgasburg. Facilities have included ripening caves inspired by techniques from Comté, Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium, and cellars employed by producers such as Rogue Creamery, Amano (cheesemaker), and Beecher's Handmade Cheese. Distribution and wholesale relationships reach restaurants and institutions like Le Bernardin, Per Se, Momofuku, Nobu, and culinary schools such as Institute of Culinary Education and Culinary Institute of America.

Products and Services

Murray's offers a range of cheeses and related products sourced from producers including Échiré, Lactalis, Cabot Creamery, Kerrygold, Neal's Yard Dairy, Isigny-Sainte-Mère, Fromagerie Guilloteau, Montchevre, and Manchego (cheese). Complementary goods and services align with purveyors such as Stonewall Kitchen, McIlhenny Company, Bonne Maman, Maille (brand), Belazu, and Citterio. They provide packaged cheeses, seasonal selections, and aged offerings comparable to Parmigiano-Reggiano, Comté, Brie de Meaux, Roquefort, and varieties associated with Camembert, Gouda, and Cheddar (cheese). Services include online ordering with fulfillment practices reminiscent of FreshDirect, subscription offerings like those from Goldbelly, curated gift boxes parallel to Harry & David, and catering for events at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.

Cheesemongering and Education

Murray's operates an educational program offering classes, tastings, and certification-style workshops influenced by curricula developed by organizations such as American Cheese Society, Cheese Guild of the British Isles, and Slow Food USA. Instructors and cheesemongers have connections to practitioners and educators like Laura Werlin, Max McCalman, Paul Kindstedt, and Jerry Mead-Lucero. Programming covers affinage techniques rooted in traditions from Beaune, Compiègne, and Gruyères, and pairs cheeses with beverages from houses such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Château Margaux, Chateau d'Yquem, and breweries like Brooklyn Brewery and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Educational outreach has engaged with festivals and fairs including CheeseCon, Salone del Gusto, NYC Wine & Food Festival, and community institutions such as New York Public Library branches.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Murray's has collaborated with culinary and retail partners including Kroger-branded initiatives, specialty importers like Gourmet Imports International, and quick-service concepts resembling partnerships with Shake Shack and Blue Bottle Coffee. Collaborations extended to chefs and restaurants including Daniel Humm, Yotam Ottolenghi, Samin Nosrat, José Andrés, and institutions such as Union Square Hospitality Group and Jean-Georges (restaurant). The company’s joint ventures have connected to media producers such as PBS, NBC, Bravo (US TV network), and print partners like Bon Appétit (magazine) and Saveur (magazine). Philanthropic ties have involved non-profits and charities akin to City Harvest, Feeding America, and Slow Food USA initiatives.

Cultural Impact and Reception

Murray's played a role in shaping American cheesemonger culture alongside figures and institutions including Rachel Carson-era food movements, tastemakers like Ruth Reichl, and restaurants that popularized artisan cheeses such as Chez Panisse and Tartine Bakery. Reviews and commentary appeared in outlets like The New Yorker, GQ (magazine), Food Network, Serious Eats, and blogs connected to critics like Pete Wells, Frank Bruni, and Jonathan Gold. The retailer influenced home cooking trends promoted by personalities such as Ina Garten, Nigella Lawson, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, and Anthony Bourdain. It contributed to the proliferation of cheese boards at events from Met Gala afterparties to holiday gatherings tied to traditions like Thanksgiving (United States) and Christmas (Christianity) feasts.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Murray's has been subject to disputes and public scrutiny resembling controversies seen across the food retail sector, comparable in nature to disputes involving Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's over supplier relationships, labeling, and trade practices. Legal and regulatory matters have intersected with standards enforced by agencies and frameworks such as United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and industry groups like American Cheese Society and Specialty Food Association. Publicized issues prompted debates in media outlets including The New York Times and Bloomberg (news) and involved stakeholder discussions similar to those between artisanal producers and large retailers exemplified by cases involving Kraft Foods and Nestlé.

Category:Cheese retailers