Gourmet Imports
Gourmet Imports is a wholesale importer and distributor of 400+ artisan cheeses and 1,000+ specialty foods serving chefs, restaurants, retail shops, wineries, bakeries, and coffee shops across California and Las Vegas via refrigerated truck delivery from its Alhambra and Northern California warehouses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersAlhambra, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Gourmet Imports does
Gourmet Imports (legal entity Gourmet Group International, Inc.) is a wholesale importer and distributor of specialty foods operating since 1989 from Alhambra, California. The company curates and distributes over 400 artisan cheeses and more than 1,000 specialty items — including charcuterie, baking and pastry products, truffles, caviar, balsamic vinegars, oils, spices, and other gourmet ingredients — sourced from independent, traditional, and artisanal producers in the United States and internationally. It sells exclusively to B2B customers: chefs and restaurants, retail shops, wineries, bakeries, and coffee shops. Direct distribution is supported by refrigerated truck delivery across Southern California, the Central Coast, San Diego, Las Vegas, and the San Francisco Bay Area, supplemented by FedEx and common-carrier shipping for out-of-area orders. The company is family-founded and family-operated; no external institutional investment is disclosed.
The business model is a transaction-fee wholesale distribution operation. Customers place orders by phone (toll-free 866-9-CHEESE plus SoCal and NorCal offices) or email, with region-dependent minimum order thresholds ($150 will-call; $350 in LA and Bay Area markets; $500 elsewhere) and a 3 PM cut-off. New accounts begin as autopay on credit card; net terms become available after three months of order history subject to approval. Underlying infrastructure includes a GDP-certified warehouse in Alhambra with a test kitchen and Education Center used for tastings and training, and a second warehouse in Northern California. Differentiating resources include a sales and support team staffed by two award-winning chefs and four cheesemongers, and long-standing sourcing relationships with producers such as Neal's Yard Dairy, Uplands Cheese, Parish Hill Creamery, Point Reyes Farmstead, Olympia Provisions, Sturia Caviar, and Acetaia San Giacomo.
Customer reach is concentrated on the West Coast; the company does not sell to home chefs or individual consumers, who are referred to a separate retail partner instead. While revenue is not publicly disclosed, operational scale — two warehouses, a regional refrigerated fleet, 11–50 employees, ~37-year operating history, and hundreds of stocked SKUs — together with minimum-order levels suggests an established but regionally bounded mid-market wholesale business rather than a national distributor. Ownership remains private and family-controlled under the Gourmet Group International, Inc. corporate entity following the 2020 passing of founder Nicole Grandjean, with her son Steve continuing operations after joining the firm in 1997.
Gourmet Imports firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gourmet Imports
- Legal name
- Gourmet Group International, Inc.
- Website
- https://gourmetimports.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Gourmet Imports is a wholesale importer and distributor of 400+ artisan cheeses and 1,000+ specialty foods serving chefs, restaurants, retail shops, wineries, bakeries, and coffee shops across California and Las Vegas via refrigerated truck delivery from its Alhambra and Northern California warehouses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gourmet Imports industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Food Wholesale Distribution
- NAICS
- Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers (42449)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty & Gourmet Foods Distribution (CRAOABAF), Gourmet & Fine Food Stores (CRAHAGAG)
Keywords
Where Gourmet Imports is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alhambra
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Gourmet Imports business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Wholesale Specialty Food Distribution: Wholesale distribution of over 400 curated cheeses and 1000+ specialty items including charcuterie, baking/pastry products, truffles, specialty meats, spices, and more to restaurants, retail shops, wineries, bakeries, and coffee shops. New accounts opened as autopay on credit card; after 3 months of order history, terms may be requested subject to approval.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Delivery minimums by region |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Gourmet Imports product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gourmet Imports is a wholesale-only importer and distributor of specialty foods founded in 1989, curating over 400 cheeses and more than 1,000 additional specialty items including charcuterie, baking and pastry products, truffles, caviar, oils, vinegars, spices, seafood, and Asian ingredients from independent artisan producers in the U.S. and abroad. The company sells exclusively to chefs, restaurants, retail shops, wineries, bakeries, and coffee shops, with refrigerated truck delivery across Southern California, the Central Coast, Northern California, San Diego, and Las Vegas, and FedEx/common carrier shipping outside the direct delivery area.
Product overview
Gourmet Imports is a wholesale importer and distributor of specialty foods operating since 1989. The company offers a portfolio of over 400 artisan cheeses and more than 1000 specialty food items, including charcuterie, baking and pastry products, truffles, spices, and specialty ingredients sourced from independent producers across the United States and internationally. Their core offering centers on curated cheeses and charcuterie, complemented by a full range of specialty pantry items. They serve wholesale customers including restaurants, retail shops, wineries, bakeries, and coffee shops primarily in the Los Angeles area, Central Coast, Northern California, San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Artisan Cheese (400+ varieties) Over 400 thoughtfully curated cheeses sourced from independent, traditional, and artisanal producers across the United States and around the globe, offered wholesale to chefs and food professionals.
- Specialty Meats and Charcuterie Artisanal cured meats including salamis, prosciutto, and charcuterie from producers such as Olympia Provisions, Brooklyn Cured, Smoking Goose, and Incontro Cured, distributed wholesale to chefs and retailers.
- Baking and Pastry Products
Companies that use Gourmet Imports
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Gourmet Imports technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Gourmet Imports partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Uplands CheesecoreUplands Cheese produces Pleasant Ridge Reserve, the most awarded American cheese in production, winning Best in Show at the American Cheese Society conference a record three times. Cheese maker Andy Hatch makes these cheeses from May to October when cows are on fresh pasture.
- Parish Hill CreamerycoreOwners Peter Dixon and Rachel Fritz Schaal pride themselves on doing things 'the most difficult way they can figure.' Cheesemaking at its purest using raw milk only when cows are on unseeded, rotationally grazed pastures.
- Blakesville CreamerycoreWoman-owned and operated creamery in Port Washington, Wisconsin, launched in 2020. Veteran cheesemaker Veronica Pedraza makes farmstead cheese with milk from the creamery's own herd of Saanen-mix goats.
- Neal's Yard DairycoreBritish cheese affineur with mission to improve British and Irish farmhouse cheese. Their focus fundamentally changed the cheese landscape when Gourmet Imports first began sourcing English cheese.
- Essex St. CheesecoreFounded in New York City in 2006 by Daphne Zepos with original vision to sell cheese in its best possible condition. Known for selecting Comté and other artisan cheeses directly.
- Shepherd's Way FarmscoreSheep dairy in Minnesota started by Jodi Ohlsen Read and husband Steven Read in 1995. First sheep's milk cheese made in 1998 with awards and following.
- Sturia CaviarcoreEstablished near Bordeaux, France in the 1990s. Pioneers of sturgeon farming in France with unique commitment to ecological balance connecting water/soil health to caviar quality.
- Acetaia San GiacomocoreAndrea Bezzecchi produces exceptional balsamic vinegars in Italy using traditional 'batteria' (barrel set) method, often part of family traditions.
- Olympia ProvisionscoreOregon's first USDA-approved salumeria, established in 2009. Salumist Elias Cairo creates charcuterie using nearly extinct traditional techniques with humanely-raised, pastured pork from regenerative farms.
- Roelli Cheese Co.coreFamily cheese legacy from early 1920s in Wisconsin. Chris Roelli revived cheesemaking in the 2000s with hand-crafted, cellar-cured, limited-batch cheeses inspired by his great-granddad's original recipes.
- Rodolphe Le MeuniercoreLoire Valley cheesemaker whose grandmother and father made goat cheeses. Won Best International Cheesemonger title in 2007. Focus and palate guide selections and aging of great French cheeses.
- Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese CompanycoreStarted in 2000 by sisters Diana, Jill, and Lynn Giacomini on family farm established in 1959. First cheese was Point Reyes Original Blue. Model for sustainable agriculture with renewable energy and water conservation.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Gourmet Imports competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Forever Cheese: US importer and distributor of artisan cheeses and specialty foods (including Accoutrements brand). Highly comparable as a B2B specialty cheese importer/distributor serving chefs and retailers, with overlapping supplier ecosystem in European farmhouse cheeses.
- Atalanta Corporation: One of the largest US importers of cheese, olive oil, and specialty Mediterranean foods, serving foodservice and retail. Comparable as a specialty cheese/food importer-distributor serving similar B2B customers, though at materially larger national scale.
- DPI Specialty Foods: West Coast-based specialty and ethnic foods distributor serving restaurants and foodservice operators. Directly comparable as a regional B2B specialty foods distributor with overlapping California customer base.
- Murray's Cheese: Iconic NYC-based cheese retailer and wholesale program serving restaurants and grocers. Comparable as an artisan cheese specialist with a B2B wholesale arm and deep cheesemonger expertise, though with a stronger DTC retail brand.
Broad incumbents
- KeHE Distributors: Major US specialty and natural foods distributor serving independent retailers, chain restaurants, and e-commerce. Comparable as a B2B specialty food channel partner, though operating nationally across much broader categories.
- United Natural Foods (UNFI): Largest US distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods to retailers. Comparable in the specialty/natural food wholesale category but at vastly greater scale and broader product breadth.
- Zingerman's: Ann Arbor-based specialty food business operating deli, bakery, mail order, and a B2B foodservice arm. Comparable as a specialty/artisan food brand with a foodservice distribution component and strong producer-story positioning.
Emerging players
- Di Bruno Bros. Philadelphia specialty foods retailer and wholesaler focused on cheese, charcuterie, and gourmet imports. Comparable as a curated artisan cheese/charcuterie specialist with a wholesale trade program, though smaller and East Coast-focused.
- Saxelby Cheesemongers: NYC-based artisan cheese retailer and wholesaler sourcing directly from American farmstead producers. Comparable as a cheesemonger-led specialist emphasizing producer relationships, though primarily retail and East Coast.
Others
- Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company: California farmstead cheese producer and named partner of Gourmet Imports. Not a competitor, but a directly relevant supplier relationship illustrating the producer ecosystem Gourmet Imports represents.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Gourmet Imports social profiles
Digital presenceGourmet Imports financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gourmet Imports leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Gourmet Imports funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gourmet Imports M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gourmet Imports
What does Gourmet Imports do?
Gourmet Imports is a wholesale-only importer and distributor of specialty foods founded in 1989, curating over 400 cheeses and more than 1,000 additional specialty items including charcuterie, baking and pastry products, truffles, caviar, oils, vinegars, spices, seafood, and Asian ingredients from independent artisan producers in the U.S. and abroad. The company sells exclusively to chefs, restaurants, retail shops, wineries, bakeries, and coffee shops, with refrigerated truck delivery across Southern California, the Central Coast, Northern California, San Diego, and Las Vegas, and FedEx/common carrier shipping outside the direct delivery area.
Is Gourmet Imports a public or private company?
Gourmet Imports is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Gourmet Imports founded?
Gourmet Imports was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Gourmet Imports based?
Gourmet Imports is headquartered in Alhambra, United States, in the North America region.
How does Gourmet Imports make money?
One revenue line is on record: wholesale Specialty Food Distribution.
Who are Gourmet Imports's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Forever Cheese, Atalanta Corporation, DPI Specialty Foods and Murray's Cheese. Broad incumbents are KeHE Distributors, United Natural Foods (UNFI) and Zingerman's. Emerging players are Di Bruno Bros. and Saxelby Cheesemongers. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company is listed as an others.
Does Gourmet Imports have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gourmet Imports.
What industry is Gourmet Imports in?
Gourmet Imports's product category is Specialty Food Wholesale Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAAAI, Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution, with a secondary code of CRAOABAF, Specialty & Gourmet Foods Distribution. Its NAICS code is 42449 and its SIC code is 5140.