Paste & Rind

Meet the Maker

Kara McGrath is an award-winning cheesemonger and the founder of Paste & Rind, an artisan cheese education and consulting company based in Washington, DC. After nearly a decade working in international development across Washington, DC and more than ten countries, Kara left the field to pursue her passion for artisan cheese.

She built her expertise through roles in catering, cheesemongering, operations management, buying, and business ownership before launching Paste & Rind in 2021. Dedicated to celebrating exceptional artisan cheese and making it more approachable, Paste & Rind has become known for connecting the Washington community with outstanding regional and American-made cheeses through education, events, and thoughtfully curated experiences.

Partnering with

In 2023, Paste & Rind opened a wine and cheese bar and retail cheese counter on H Street NE, earning widespread recognition for its exceptional selection, service, and cheesemonger expertise. The shop received the Washington City Paper Best Charcuterie Award in both 2024 and 2025, along with the Slow Food DC Snail of Approval in 2024.

Today, Paste & Rind focuses on artisan cheese consulting, education, and collaborative programming throughout the DMV. Through its partnership with Henceforth, Kara serves as Cheese Director, overseeing the brewery's cheese program, curating the rotating cheese slates featured on the menu, leading the Paste & Rind Cheese Club residency, and hosting classes, tastings, and specialty food events that bring people together over great cheese and beer.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • 8/20 • Local Cheese & Beer Tasting

    Virginia cheese + Henceforth beer pairing with George's Mill Farm. 10% supports Slow Food DC's mission of good, clean & fair food.