Francesca Auricchio Elfner 
The BelGioioso Cheese Family
In this new reoccurring series, the Pizza Man team is excited to share some of the amazing local partners we are working with for our new menu that focuses on local, organic ingredients. In the process of going back to our roots, we have decided to partner with the great BelGioioso cheese.
BelGioioso Cheese is a family owned and operated company located in Green Bay WI. They have been making delicious cheeses since 1979 using only Wisconsin’s best milk. We have loved partnering with BelGioioso on our new menu and using their cheeses in our salads, pastas and pizzas. To find out a little more about what makes BelGioioso Cheese so great, we chatted with Francesca Auricchio Elfner, daughter of President and Founder Errico Auricchio, and multiple hat wearer for the BelGioioso team.
What is BelGioioso Cheese all about?
BelGioioso began in 1979 when my father came over from Italy, with a mission to bring artisan, high quality, Italian cheeses to America. He decided to settle right here in Wisconsin for proximity to fresh, quality milk. That passion and commitment to quality carries on today and our business is still family-owned and operated. BelGioioso Cheeses are ready-to-enjoy – just grab a knife and a cutting board! They are awesome toppings on pizza…as you will soon find out 😊
What is your specific job at BelGioioso?
I wear a lot of hats and get involved in all aspects of our business, but have a particular passion for our marketing efforts, since I love to help people discover our cheeses and how to use them.
Why do you personally like working here?
Every day is different given the nature of my role. It’s wonderful to work with a great group of people on something I truly enjoy – CHEESE! It always surprises me how many ways you can enjoy the same cheese, in different applications– for any occasion or meal. It’s fun finding ways to bring out its versatility.
What is your favorite cheese?
It’s so hard to pick favorites! These cheeses are like my children…I truly love them all. But two lesser-known cheeses that everyone should know and enjoy are Crescenza-Stracchino as well as Italico. Crescenza is a fresh, spreadable, rindless cheese with a creamy, tangy flavor. Italico is a washed-rind cheese, with a unique earthy flavor. Both melt perfectly on pizzas and are also great on cheeseboards. I would LOVE to see CRESCENZA on one of YOUR delicious pizzas, but Topher is a good option in the meantime!
Pizza Man and the rest of F Street Hospitality’s chefs were able to tour the facility where BelGioioso’s cheese is created. It allowed us to taste test and decide which cheese was the best for which specific recipe. To learn more about BelGioioso’s Cheeses and where to get some of your own, visit their link here. And be sure to try BelGioioso Cheese in some of our great menu items as Pizza Man goes back to its roots in its new menu.