@cbsphiladelphia For the first time in history, an American has won one of the biggest competitions in the world for cheese called the Mondial du Fromage. Emilia D'Albero, who lives in Philadelphia, took home first place and a gold medal at what is known as the Cheesemonger Olympics in France. #philadelphia #philly #france #cheesemonger #mundialdufromage #cheese #phillycheese #phillytiktok #phillytok ♬ original sound - CBS Philadelphia

✨ Moonlit Wheels & Milk‑Gold Crowns

Paul Russell’s “Say Cheese” becomes an unexpectedly perfect mirror to the headline about an American winning one of France’s top cheese competitions: both stories celebrate confidence in the spotlight, joyful self‑display, and turning a moment into a photograph worth keeping. The song’s purple‑Mercedes swagger and picture‑ready glamour echo the competitor’s triumph on French soil, where mastery, craft, and a touch of audacity earn a place on the podium. In both narratives, someone steps into a world traditionally dominated by others and says, in essence, “Go on—take the picture, I earned this.”

🎶 🌍👩‍🍳🏆✈️🥇🌈🇺🇸🧀🇫🇷🥐🍇✨🦄💡 🔊 Say Cheese - Paul Russell

---

An American cheesemonger has achieved a milestone once thought impossible on French soil.

Her victory is reshaping perceptions on both sides of the Atlantic.

🥇 The Moment That Changed Everything

When Emilia D’Albero heard her name announced as the winner, she burst into tears. She had just become the first American to win the Mondial du Fromage, often called the Cheesemonger World Cup.

🧵 A Craft Beyond Samples and Counters

D’Albero hopes her win will challenge U.S. stereotypes that reduce cheesemongers to grocery‑store sample staff. She insists the profession is skilled labor rooted in storytelling, education, and responsible food culture.

🇫🇷 Respect in Europe, Misunderstanding in the U.S.

In Europe, cheesemongers are recognized as artisans with deep expertise. In the U.S., D’Albero says, many still assume they simply slice deli meats behind a counter.

🔍 A Competition of Precision and Knowledge

The Mondial du Fromage tests competitors across nine demanding events. Challenges include blind tastings, precision cutting without tools, oral presentations, and written exams that require identifying goat breeds and their milk’s cheese potential.

🏆 A Win That Could Shift a Culture

Observers believe her victory may influence how European experts view American cheesemongers. D’Albero hopes it will also elevate the profession’s status back home, inspiring a new respect for the craft.

#CheeseChampion 🧀 #MadeInUSA 🇺🇸 #HistoryMade 🏆 #FromageMasters 🐐 #SayCheeseMoment 📸