Brad J.

A versatile and trusted team member for over a decade, Brad is a dependable cornerstone of the team, bringing strong leadership, reliability, and positive energy to his department. He brings a thoughtful perspective to his work and a sense of fun that makes collaborating with him both productive and enjoyable. Through training teammates and overseeing department orders, Brad consistently leads by example and sets a high bar for excellence. He takes pride in upholding standards while sharing his deep knowledge of cheese and salumi with guests. An Eatalian through and through, Brad plays an important role in making the SAFO counter at Eataly LA a special place to visit.

What is your background?
“I grew up in Chicago and studied political science. I first became involved in the food industry when I began working in a sandwich shop, where I first learned how to slice meat and cheese. This experience sparked my interest in the cheese and salumi world, so I applied to work in Eataly’s SAFO department.”

What has your Eataly journey been like?
“I started working at Eataly in January 2014. I began at the Eataly Chicago location as a meat slicer, then learned how to make mozzarella and eventually ran the mozzarella lab there. When I transferred to Eataly Los Angeles in 2021, I trained as a cheesemonger, completing the SAFO stations. In my current role as SAFO Lead, I ensure that products are available and that our guests have a fun and engaging experience learning about them. My favorite parts of the job are hands-on tasks like cutting Parmigiano Reggiano DOP and making mozzarella.”

What advice do you have for a fellow Eatalian?
“Focus on what is in front of you and try to always enjoy what you are doing, even in chaotic or difficult moments.”

What are some fun facts about you?
“Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and watching sumo wrestling. Growing up, I never knew what career I wanted to have, which has shaped my openness to trying new things.”