Portugal creates first cheese concept store

Queijaria Machado opened in Chiado, Lisbon, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. An innovative concept, aimed at a public that is knowledgeable and passionate about the best cheeses in the world, in an iconic building in the city.

Lisbon has a new space of choice for lovers of good flavours and cheese lovers in particular. This is the Queijaria Machado, located in Chiado, which is assumed as the “first cheese concept store” in Portugal, a unique place where it is possible to obtain a unique experience in the world of cheese.

In the 250 square metres of the store, visitors can move through various spaces with different functions, but which complement each other. Queijaria Machado offers a maturation room (“Affinage Room”), where affineurs select and improve cheeses and these can be seen in its different phases; a tasting room (“Tasting Room”), where light meals are served with cheese as the main ingredient; and a classroom for workshops and courses (“Training Room”), where training courses with instructors certified by the Academy of Cheese in the United Kingdom, one of the most prestigious worldwide associations in the sector with which the Portuguese store is associated, take place.

The space is also valued with a counter for sale to the public (“Meet the Cheesemonger”) that offers the opportunity to taste on the spot or purchase the best cheeses and a range of complementary products, such as wines, jams, toasts and various types of salt and mustards. All this is always accompanied by a professional cheesemonger.

The environment takes advantage of the unique characteristics of the space in the Duques de Bragança building, at Rua Victor Cordon, 43, one of the most iconic buildings in the city of Lisbon, with a past that dates back to the 16th century and to the old Paços do Duque de Bragança. The building has been completely rehabilitated, preserving the elegant architectural details of the original design, with emphasis on the facades and gaps in the shape of a warhead.

"We have the best selection of artisanal cheeses and DOP from all over the world, with some Portuguese references", explains João Machado, who besides being the main partner of the project is also a professional cheesemonger. And the mentor of the project adds: "We have created a new concept aimed at a demanding audience and our objective is to provide the customer with the best experience in cheese tasting".

In total there are more than 50 references available, where French, British, Portuguese, Spanish and Swiss products predominate. The menu includes delicacies such as Liconshire Poacher Smoked, from the United Kingdom; the French Comté 18 months and Livrarot; the Swiss Vacherin Fribourgeois, the Manchego Curado Ntra. Mrs. De Fuentes, from Spain; or the Portuguese Serra amanteigado and Serpa.

The opening of the store coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, which did not even allow an official opening of the space. “In the first phase, we had no alternative but to invite people to do tastings at home, having to place orders online and wait for home delivery. Now, we are in a position to offer all our services and attention”, confides Sandra Henriques, another partner in the project and responsible for the sales and marketing areas.

In addition to direct service and advice to the public, Queijaria Machado also offers actions aimed at the business market, through training for the catering market, tasting sessions for companies or corporate events.