John Antonelli (B’04) turned to his wife Kendall (SFS’04) on their honeymoon and announced his intention to quit his job and “do something in cheese.” Three months later, he traded in his CPA (Certified Public Accountant) initials for those of CCP - a Certified Cheese Professional - as he opened Antonelli’s Cheese Shop. Seventeen years later, John has realized that his decision was about finding passion with purpose, a realization that he shared on the TedX stage, became a core principle of the business, and landed him as a spokesperson for Capital One’s small business campaign, generating over 11 billion impressions. Celebrating and acknowledging the challenges of entrepreneurship, John is also an advocate for and has spoken publicly about mental health awareness and his personal journey through depression. Incorporating service into his initial business plan, John has served as President to both the American Cheese Society and Austin children’s museum Thinkery, in addition to serving on the advisory board of the Local Business Institute and non-profit accelerator Philanthropitch. Driven by a professional mission to “Do Good. Eat Good.” and a personal mission to “Spread Joy,” John has been honored as an Austin Under 40 award recipient, Best Small Business CEO, and Top Individuals Impacting the Industry, as well as an inducted member of the prestigious Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. John most enjoys working alongside his life partner Kendall and finding the perfect picnic spot to share a cheese and charcuterie board with his two kids Everett and Elia. John is also known for saying “awesome” - a lot.

Antonelli's Cheese is an award-winning destination known for artisan cheese, charcuterie, storytelling, and hospitality. Based in Austin, Texas, the business includes its flagship Hyde Park cut-to-order cheese shop, two tasting rooms, a statewide wholesale distribution program serving acclaimed Texas chefs, and a nationwide cheese club. The team hosts over 500 public classes and private events yearly, gathering over 10,000 guests yearly around their table, making it one of the country's largest cheese education programs. Along the way, Antonelli's has been recognized as one of America's Best Cheese Shops by Travel + Leisure and The Gourmet Retailer, received the Austin Gives Generous Business Award, the Austin Business Journal Family Business Award, the City of Austin Small Business Resiliency Award, and has been named an Edible Austin Local Hero for more than a decade. Driven by the mission Do Good. Eat Good., Antonelli's intentionally sources products from artisans who prioritize quality, animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and workplace culture. Just as importantly, the company is committed to giving back to the community, including publishing an annual accountability report on the nonprofits supported yearly. More than a cheese shop, Antonelli's creates memorable experiences that bring people together around the table—because they believe cheese isn't just food; it's a way to connect.