Zagat 30 Under 30: New York City

We were on hand last night at The Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg to see some of our friends and favorite young stars collect awards for Zagat’s “30 Under 30”, which honors young up-and-comers in the food and restaurant world.

We got to spend some time with Sophie Slesinger of Saxelby Cheesemongers.

Sophie Slesinger, one of 2013’s 30 Under 30

Zagat’s profile of Sophie:

This young cheese maestro’s passion for the industry was set when she worked at a French bakery in her hometown outside of Washington DC. After getting her degree at Emory University, she arrived in New York City and ultimately landing a gig working with cheesemonger Anne Saxelby, helping to produce her fromage-focused show “Cutting the Curd”on the Heritage Radio network. Slessinger also focuses on working with wholesale customers and doing marketing and events. Though she’s passionate about working in dairy, her ambitions may take her away from the cheese world. “My great uncle had a bakery in Sicily and my mom makes biscotti cookies. I’m kind of thinking about something that has to do with the tradition of my family,” she says.

Saxelby Cheesemongers’ Sophie and Pepe

Sophie and Pepe check out the Bosco Photo booth

The list is an awesome display of NYC’s top young talent, and worth a read for some Tuesday morning inspiration.