Maker and Monger to open a chapel of cheese at Prahran Market

Anthony Femia, the cheesemonger behind Prahran Market's raclette-slinging Maker and Monger cheese cart, is retiring his "chariot of cheese" and opening what he's dubbed the "chapel of cheese" in its place.

Maker & Monger 2.0 is set to open in September inside the market's Harvest Hall and will be an "all-encompassing cheese shop," says Femia.

There will be a climate-controlled cheese counter full of the best farmhouse and artisan cheeses available in Australia, and a maturation facility that Femia will use to age local and house-made cheeses. That will include a Marcel Petite comte from the Jura region in France. Considered one of the world's best cheesemongers, Femia has been awarded the unique honour to choose his own flavour grade of the world-class comte.

"Normally only the best cheesemongers in France and London get to choose," he says. "I'm the first Australian ever to be able to pick. I can't wait to show Melbourne how comte is supposed to taste."

Maker and Monger's grilled cheese and raclette will still be on the menu, alongside other dishes such as fondue for two, and house-made cheeses with accompaniments. The cheese cart he currently works from will be used for festivals and events.

makerandmonger.com.au