Kendall Antonelli is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, published author, and Certified Cheese Professional - yes, that’s a thing. She founded Antonelli’s Cheese in Austin, Texas alongside her husband John in 2010 after a honeymoon decision to quit their jobs in search of a passion with purpose – working together and spreading joy one bite at a time while telling the story of handcrafted foods. Their small mom and pop shop has international acclaim and has been voted Austin Chronicle "Best Artisan Food Company" and Edible Austin "Local Heroes,” as well as named one of the best cheese shops in America by Travel + Leisure Magazine and The Gourmet Retailer. Antonelli's Cheese includes a cut-to-order shop, over 200 events and tastings per year, and a wholesale program supplying many of Central Texas' best chefs, in addition to an e-commerce site shipping their cheese club and gifts nationwide.

Recently awarded a Generous Business Award by the Austin Chamber, the Antonelli family and team endeavor to live their mission: Do Good. Eat Good. Kendall has been awarded the Austin Business Journal Women “Profile in Power” and a “Blazing Star” from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas. Kendall is a published writer and keynote speaker, presenting on topics of entrepreneurship, overcoming depression, and living a life of passion with purpose to drive profit, including a TEDx talk. Kendall serves on the boards of the American Cheese Education Foundation, Austin Child Guidance Center, and as President for Les Dames d’Escoffier Austin. She is honored to be a selected member of the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers and spends time as an active member of Impact Austin, as well as on advisory boards for Philanthropitch and the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance.

Kendall has a Masters degree and nonprofit management certificate from The University of Texas and received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University. Prior to opening the cheese shop, Kendall worked at Austin nonprofit American Gateways as a Board of Immigration Appeals Representative for the Immigrant Victims of Crime Protection Project. Kendall has a Masters degree from The University of Texas in Latin American Studies and a certificate in nonprofit management from the LBJ School of Public Affairs RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service; her thesis on the first wave of immigrant rights' marches in 2006 was later published in The Latin Americanist. Kendall has an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service and graduated with honors and a certificate in the Justice and Peace Program. Kendall’s culinary journey and adventure are made sweeter with her husband John, spirited children Everett and Elia, and two adopted yellow lab mixes Lucky Day and Luna Loca.

“Female Profile in Power Winner” - Austin Business Journal 2018
“Blazing Star” - Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas 2016
“Austin Under 40 Finalist” - Young Women’s Alliance and Young Men’s Business League 2018 & 2019
“Favorite Stout Ways” - Stout Awards 2018