Terra Madre Delegate Profile -
Elizabeth Parnell
Fromagerie Belle Chevre, Alabama

Elizabeth Parnell didn't even discover her passion for goat cheese until she traveled to Europe in the late 1980s. Up until then she had been an administrative assistant, raised two children and begun a career as a real estate broker.

Only 2 years after starting Omni Realty in 1987, Elizabeth stumbled upon and bought into a small goat-cheese operation located 45 minutes from her home. Parnell made her first batch of cheese at the age of 58. Since then she has bought out her partner and given up real estate for good.

Fromagerie Belle Chevre has been served at the base of Mount Everest, in Antarctica and at the White House, by special request of the Clinton Administration. The Parnell's milk comes from 120 goats that are milked exclusively for them. Elizabeth rolls her cheese by hand and ages it for anywhere between tens days and two weeks. Depending on the weather and how much water the goats are drinking each batch can vary greatly. According to Elizabeth, therein lies the beauty of handmade cheese; every product is a unique work of art.

Written by Rachel Joynes