Our staff is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality in the work we do - from working the registers to caring for our cheeses. We are committed to providing the highest level of customer service by sharing our knowledge about the various one-of-a-kind products in the store. This entails giving tastings and in-store demonstrations. Customer interaction is one of the most important aspects of our store. We offer an educational gastronomic experience, reminiscent of the markets in France, Italy, and Spain, for every customer.

The history of the store started in the spring of 2006 when Ihsan and Valerie Gurdal discovered an empty stall in the Essex Street Market. Ihsan & Valerie envisioned a store where people would explore the highest quality food products from the large selection that he imports exclusively to the United States. In late July 2006, Ihsan & Valerie drove down with a truck full of some of the most unique treats from his Cambridge store: hand-made Italian mostardas from Cremona, fresh Sicilian olive oil from a family farm in Agrigento, jams from a self-sustainable farm in Mombaruzzo, Italy, and cheeses from the best affineurs in Europe. 

Ayse Gurdal Grew up in Cambridge MA and more specifically, grew up in and around Formaggio Kitchen where her father Ihsan was busy building the small store into the nationally recognized specialty food mecca it is today.  Ayse has worked at Formaggio Kitchen and in Berkley CA at the Pasta Shop.  She has travelled extensively and has experienced the cultural importance of food  in numerous countries.  She now manages Formaggio Essex and is excited to get to know the neighborhood of the Lower East Side and to share the wonders of our products.