Welcome to Bites & Beyond!

Where Cheese, Travel, and Culture Meet

Welcome to Bites & Beyond, a newsletter for anyone who believes that cheese, travel, and culture are more than just indulgences—they’re ways of seeing the world.

I’m Kristine, a dual American and Italian citizen who splits life between Florence and New York, always in search of beautiful, delicious things. You many also know me as @nyccheesechick on Instagram and TikTok.

As a cheese specialist, journalist, and international cheese judge, I’ve spent years exploring the craft, the people, and the places behind the rind. But my curiosity doesn’t stop at the cheese plate.

This space is for all the flavorful things that don’t quite fit on Instagram. Here, I’ll go deeper—sharing stories from Italian villages and New York neighborhoods, artisan cheesemakers and family-run pasta houses, wine pairings, tastings, travel tips, and glimpses of a life shaped by food and culture.

Why now?

I envision Bites & Beyond as a place where I can share deeper reflections from my personal experiences and research, life as a dual citizen and avid traveler, and connect with people who have similar passions and curiosity. If you’re at all intrigued, I hope you’ll subscribe!

As a paying subscriber, you not only support my work as a writer and independent creative, but also gain access to subscriber only posts and the full archive. If you opt to subscribe as a Founding Member, I will be incredibly grateful for your generosity, and you’ll be entitled to a one-on-one 15 minute video chat with me on a topic of your choice!

Grazie for being here — you’re helping me build something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. Now let’s dig in.

xoxo Kristine