The Delicacy of Fromage at Fourchette

Famed English gastronome Ernest Oldmeadow once said, “The only way to learn about cheese is to eat it.” Cheese enthusiasts need look no further than Fourchette in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island. Opened in the summer of 2020, the shop quickly took off and has been embraced by both locals and tourists. Owned by husband and wife team Brahim Sadouni and Meredith Hyland, Fourchette originally opened in Clinton, NJ, where the store found a following of gourmet food connoisseurs and those looking for fine and unique gift items. Several years later, the island location opened, followed by Fourchette’s newest shop in Red Bank.

Sadouni and Hyland met while living in Paris and discovered a mutual affinity for fine cheeses. Upon their return to the states, fate intervened and as Hyland explains, “On a fateful trip to Napa [we] saw all these wonderful gourmet shops and thought, we should do this.” With their shared passion for good food along with the desirability of living in a charming small town, Hyland created a business plan and set it aside. One year later, an opportunity presented itself and Fourchette was born. Equipped with a business background and experience in both product management and marketing, Hyland used that foundation to launch what has become a very successful small business. Happenstance came into play yet again when Hyland and Sadouni received a newsletter featuring LBI real estate listings and noticed a building in Beach Haven that was perfect for expanding Fourchette. Hyland’s childhood included a week spent on the island every summer and she knew early on that the island would be part of her future. “All those summers and I always said to myself, one day I’m going to have a beach house on Long Beach Island. And so, I got both—a business and a beach house.”

While Sadouni showcases his passion year-round in running the Clinton shop, Hyland spends her summers in Beach Haven and is pleased to spend a lot of time sourcing a variety of specialty cheeses which the shop has become known for. Utilizing industry connections they’ve made along the way, Hyland and Sadouni are pleased to offer not only a fine assortment of cheeses from around the world, but also their signature olive oils and balsamic vinegars, Italian specialties, and one-of-a-kind houseware and gift items. A favorite of theirs is olivewood, handmade and sourced from Tunisia, adjacent to Sadouni’s native Algeria. They’ve also brought in pasta from the oldest manufacturer in Italy, Vicidomini, as well as “aged to perfection” Comté cheese and Délice de Bourgogne, “a fan favorite,” according to Hyland. Embracing a coastal feel, the Beach Haven shop features the artwork of Barloga Art Studios, including a series on oyster shells, “perfect for the beach,” Hyland notes. Fourchette also offers a variety of branded products including straw bags and travel bags designed by Hyland. In addition to the shops, an extensive website offers customers the opportunity to shop from home, sign up for events, and order premade cheeseboards and more specialty items. Hyland credits her staff, all of whom have food backgrounds, with maintaining the right balance between coming up with creative ideas for events, sharing cheese recommendations and pairings, and keeping the store aesthetically pleasing. “[They] know the food business and really care about the community. We’re a family and I’m just so blessed to have people who are so excited about [the] business,” Hyland proudly states. This year, the store remained open weekends in the off season and enjoyed hosting a series of tasting and pop-up events. “Our most popular one is our caviar tasting…people come in strangers and leave friends.” Hyland and her team enjoy getting to know clients and prioritize familiarizing themselves with clients’ tastes and preferences.

Fourchette proudly partners with other businesses and individuals and has collaborated with the Oyster Collective for a shucking event; The Food Dragon—aka Nicole Dragon, who did a presentation on ingredients and preparation; and the shop has an upcoming event this summer with Emilia d’Albero, the first female and first American to win the title of World’s Best Cheesemonger. Fourchette takes pride in working with those in the community and provided a cheese grazing table for The Gables twentieth anniversary celebration. The business is often called upon by homeowners during the summertime to prepare renter gifts—beautiful charcuterie boxes designed as a welcome treat to renters on the island. Hyland is thrilled to be part of the LBI community and says, “In Beach Haven, we’re surrounded by great little shops…and each of us has a unique perspective.” Among her favorites to frequent, The Spotted Whale, K and Co., Sandy Banks Boutique, and The Dune Market.

The Fourchette team continues to plan for the future, adding new and exciting events to the calendar all the time and is eager to try a variety of different ideas, bringing great service and great cheese to the island community. The LBI location is particularly special to Hyland who explains, “LBI is my place and always has been, and I’m just delighted to be able to own a business there that’s flourishing and be embraced by the community.”

About Fourchette: You can keep up on their latest updates by following their Instagram. You can also visit their website to shop online and learn about their upcoming events.

About the writer: Brielle Bleeker has been vacationing on LBI since childhood and is happy to continue the tradition with her husband and children. As a freelance writer, Brielle has published articles related to books, travel, food, and wellness. She counts down all year long to summertime on the sandbar.