What brought you to Nashville?
My husband brought me here! I briefly dated someone who lived here, and I told my mom once after a trip to visit "I just have this feeling that Nashville will be home for me someday." Two years later, I was engaged to Chris and moving from Texas to Tennessee!
Being the perfect hostess takes a lot of practice, but something that comes naturally to you. What is it about gathering around a table with others that really draws you in?
Hosting has become second nature to me because I have been throwing dinner parties since high school! My mom was the queen of hosting, and I remember thinking "I can't wait to do this one day." She spilled her hosting secrets and from that I've developed my own entertaining style. With age I have become more relaxed - especially post kids. Never again dusting my baseboards for a dinner party, haha! There is nothing better than a table full of delicious food with my friends and family making my favorite memories and bonding!
Cheese Gal has evolved into more than cheese! Has this been the dream all along?
I am so grateful for where this journey has taken me. I am living out 5 year old Cortney's dream. I used to pretend to have my own cooking show with two teddy bears named Dan (yes, both named Dan). My heroes were (and are) Martha, Ina, and Julia! I wanted to be them when I grew up. After starting the business, I opened my shop, which I thought I needed to maintain for legitimacy, and to build my following in and out of Nashville. When we decided to close and focus on my social platforms, I was surprised (and delighted!) to learn I didn't need to run a physical location in order to build a great community and a strong business. So, it was certainly the dream...I didn't know how it would unfold! There is no doubt that cheese is to thank for all of it!
What has been most surprising about your career journey?
Discovering that you can love your job as much as I do! There are hard days, but to be able to look at my life and say that I get to do this, is a blessing and so humbling to show my girls that they can do whatever they want to do!
You make it look so easy, as a working mother. You are so down to earth and approachable. Are there aspects of your job that you find difficult?
Well you just made my day - That's such a compliment, thank you! I’m with my babies daily and have my own schedule. I work when I am traveling! The hardest part is that I can work more and there's no "clocking out" when it comes to posting on social media. I have to set a boundary, and remind myself 10x's, to turn the phone off and be present!
How have you included your kids into your world of food?
All I've had to do is hold up the camera and press record! My girls have so much personality and also love food (no idea where they get this from). So, it fits into my content. People love their videos!
You are not just Nashville’s Cheese Gal anymore; you’re the Cheese Gal! What do you attribute to your nationwide following and opportunities?
I watched my account boom in Nashville due to word of mouth, reshares, etc, and it's been the same thing with expanding beyond Nashville! But the "Dirty Martini Journey" was a catalyst for that. The Dirty Martini Journey is: I tried a different dirty martini recipe everyday for a month, until I arrived at the "perfect" recipe, and posted the whole experience in real time on instagram. People were tuning in everyday like they were watching their favorite show- ha! This was the first time that I saw that people were interested in what I had to say beyond making a cheeseboard, and outside of Nashville.
What’s next for Cheese Gal?
[Oversharing] I am writing my first cookbook that comes out in 2026! Regularly, I look at my husband and say, "did you know she's an author?”
Any advice to give to new entrepreneurs?
Lean into what makes you and your businesses unique! Don't be afraid to stand out! It's what will set you apart from everyone else. I'll never forget when Alli Webb spoke at the event of Dry Bar Nashville. She spoke of leaning into their niche of being a blowout company was crucial to the success of the brand. They didn't ever try to be something that they weren't, and offer services that weren't in the realm of what they were 1. good at and 2. known for. That advice always stuck with me.
What are your favorite restaurants in Nashville?
Restaurants are my hobby!! In no particular order:
Locust - the dumplings and the tartar wrap with caviar.
Epice - my go to when I don't know where to go.
Folk - the clam pizza forever.
Drusie and Darr - prettiest bar in Nashville. Great hospitality, food, and vibe.
Radish - favorite fast casual healthy lunch and I could drink her ranch dressing.
Who Is Cheese Gal?
Cortney LaCorte is a home and entertainment content creator located in Nashville, TN. In early 2019, Cheese Gal was born out of a small Nashville kitchen, inspired by her mom, Darci, who taught her everything she knows about entertaining, and her Godmother, Kar, who influenced her cheese and charcuterie board business. Cortney quickly learned that not only are cheese plates a great way to feed and impress guests, but that they have a magical way of bringing people together.
Now, Cortney has expanded her content creation to YouTube, hosting the Cheese Gal cooking show teaching anyone that you don’t have to be a professional chef to curate a great meal. Follow along for more at @cheesegal.
"There is nothing better than a table full of delicious food with my friends and family..."
"I am so grateful for where this journey has taken me. I am living out 5 year old Cortney's dream."