Cheese, Wine, and Wisdom

Words By Ruba

May 2025

Cin Cin welcomed Afrim Pristine, third-generation owner of Cheese Boutique, for an intimate gathering that took guests on a journey around the world in seven cheeses.

Over its 55 year, multi-generational history, Cheese Boutique has grown into a Toronto epicurean institution, renowned for its commitment to high-quality products. With more than 500 types of cheese available at any given time, including some of the best and rarest in the world, it has become the go-to destination for chefs, celebrities, restaurants, specialty grocers and cheese lovers from near and far.

In his 20’s, Afrim Pristine travelled across Europe to learn from the best cheesemakers and affineurs. In 2013, at the age of 32, he became the youngest person in the world to receive the prestigious Maître Fromager designation from the France-based Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. In 2018, Afrim published For the Love of Cheese: Recipes and Wisdom from the Cheese Boutique, and in 2021, he hosted a six-part docuseries, Cheese: A Love Story, with Food Network Canada. The series followed Afrim to iconic cheese regions around the world, where he met with cheesemakers, affineurs, chefs and shop owners for an in-depth look at global cheese traditions.

At the Cin Cin event, guest tasted exceptional goat, sheep and cow milk cheeses from France, Italy, Ireland and Holland, along with a small production cheese from Fromagerie du Presbytère in Québec, the most awarded dairy in Canadian history. All seven cheeses are imported by Cheese Boutique directly from the farms, thanks to the relationships that the Pristine family has nurtured over many years. Gourmet accompaniments, including in-house baked breads and crackers, honeycomb, almonds, olives, and chocolate, were also provided by Cheese Boutique. Afrim additionally guided guests through a tasting of the world’s best cured hams.

The experience offered guests a rare glimpe into the world behind the counter – the makers, the methods, and the meticulous care that defines exceptional cheese – deepening curiosity, sharpening palates, and reaffirming cheese as one of the world’s great culinary traditions.