Afrim Pristine is Canada's premier cheese expert and owner of the Cheese Boutique, with over 25 years of experience in the art of cheese making. From studying with some of the world's greatest cheesemakers like Luigi Guffanti, Stefano Sarti, Carl Schilt, Jean-Paul Morin as well as hands on training from his father and world's most renowned dairy farms, Afrim's passion and commitment stems from his father and family business of 50 years, Cheese Boutique.
As the world's youngest Maître Fromager, an honour bestowed in February 19, 2013, by the France-based Guilde Internationale des Fromagers, an exclusive association representing more than 5,000 dairy professionals worldwide, Afrim is the only Canadian to receive this title, awarded to those who demonstrate exceptional cheese knowledge and recognized within their community.
Prior to that achievement, Afrim was also the youngest Canadian recipient to the "Chevalier," a distinction from the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Taste Fromage de France (March 2007), following an upgraded status to "Officier du Fromage" in April 2010. He was also awarded with Top 30 Under 30 in the Food Industry by Ontario Hostelry Institute.
Afrim is actively involved with charities and foundations he's passionate about, including CAMH, Sick Kids Hospital, Women in Capital Markets, Toronto & Etobicoke Humane Society, St. Joseph's Hospital and more. He's also instrumental in continuing to build relationships and collaborations with some of Canada's top chefs and restaurants including Momofuku, Alo, Langdon Hall, Canoe, La Palma, Scaramouche and Piano Piano, to name a few, and chefs such as Michael Bonacini, Mark McEwan, Daniel Boulud, David Chang and Lynn Crawford.
Afrim's media appearances include The Marilyn Denis Show, City TV's Breakfast Television, CTV's Your Morning, and expert consulting for Top Chef Canada, MasterChef Canada, Chopped Canada and more. He was honoured as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in Canadian Food by the Globe and Mail, July 2016, and named Top 10 Most Influential People in the Food Industry by LCBO Food & Drink Magazine.
Afrim's first cookbook "For the Love of Cheese" hit shelves in October 2018 and is a national bestseller. Premiering Summer 2021, Afrim hosts Food Network Canada's first-ever docu-series Cheese: A Love Story, with six one-hour episodes.
