Cheese lovers have a new reason to celebrate Khmer New Year. Beginning in April, Khema will be the proud, new, exclusive importer of Mons cheeses, the world-renowned artisanal creamery from Roanne, France.
Khema will begin showcasing Mons cheeses during its Thursday wine and cheese nights. But the specialty cheeses will surely become highlight ingredients across the Khema menu as Chef Sophea experiments with the many available flavors. Mons cheeses are also available from the Khema deli.
Founded by Hubert Mons in 1964, Mons today is run by Hubert’s eldest son Herve, an award-winning cheesemonger and “affinager.” The Mons network includes 130 artisanal cheese makers across France, and the company matures nearly 200 different types of cheese every day.
In addition to sourcing the very best aged cheeses of France, Mons specializes in the aging process. The family operates its own cellar in Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, and over the years Herve and his team have become world-renowned masters of the cheese-maturing process, known in French as “affinage.”
“Cheese results from two transformations,” Mons explained. “First, the transformation of milk into curds; then, that of curds into cheese. The second transformation, in French, is called ‘affinage.’ Affinage enables us to develop textures, aromas, flavors and rinds. Without the maturing process, the uniqueness and characteristics of each cheese cannot be revealed.”
Understanding this transformation and managing it properly takes years of practice. Mon was recognized for his excellence in 2000, when he was awarded Best Artisanal Craftsman of France.
“When we are maturing a cheese, we are rearing it, we are leading it towards its second life,” he said. “It requires delicate and appropriate care in relation to the family and the region the cheese belongs to; wood, straw, stone and soil are our allies. They help us maintain the various atmospheres of our cellars.”
It is this passion for cheese-making that attracted Thalias CEO Arnaud Darc to Mons. It is the same passion that drives Darc, that drives Khema and the Thalias family, and which serves as the foundation of the group’s continued success.
“It was a natural fit,” Darc said.
Book a table now and enjoy Mons Cheese at Khema.