A buzzy chef is headlining a new project DT, and Venissimo Cheese’s Gina Freize drops by

San Diego Magazine's Happy Half Hour

In today’s episode of the Happy Half Hour Erin, Troy and Archana are talking Hot Plates, from the new Death by Tequila in Encinitas and its claim to have “the best margarita in town” to chef Paul McCabe’s new project downtown. Our guest is Gina Freize, co-owner of Venissimo, the beloved local cheese shop that launched 14 years ago in Mission Hills and has since opened locations in North Park, Liberty Public Market, and Del Mar’s Flower Hill Promenade. She tells us about how she fell for the stinky stuff, why American cheeses are so darn expensive, and why it’s easier to run a brewery than a cheese shop. Plus, she gives us the scoop on how you can order wedding cheese-cakes, and we talk about the UC San Diego professor who studies cheese for a living. Today’s hot topic is about, what else, cheese. Gina analyzes Bon Appetit’s list of the 25 most important cheeses in America and dishes on her personal favorites. We end with Two People/$50, including Alforon, Pho Fifth Avenue, and Carin de Ria.