Former Bearcat Brings Gourmet Grilled Cheese to Cincinnati

Emily Frank, owner of C'est Cheese

 In the past few years, food trucks have popped up in cities across the U.S., including Cincinnati.  An alumna from UC recently started her own food truck – one specializing in gourmet grilled cheese called C’est Cheese (pronounced say cheese).

After working in the corporate industry in Chicago, Emily decided to leave the Windy City and start her own business in 2011 in the Queen City. “I loved the idea of a food truck because it can reach an entire city versus a single brick and mortar location,” Emily explained. “This is how C’est Cheese was born.”

As a student at UC, Emily was involved with a sorority and student alumni council. She credits these groups for teaching her how to be a leader and providing her with skills to manage a budget.

Emily’s undergraduate experience isn’t her only connection to UC. Many of her biggest customers are UC grads, eating up the most popular menu item, the bee sting – a sweet and spicy combination of mozzarella, pepperoni, basil-infused honey, and chili flake butter.

Emily in the C'est Cheese bus

“I’m proud to be a part of such a diverse and accomplished university.  I love that we are famous for our top-notch schools such as DAAP & CCM and our athletics,” Emily said. “Going to UC is a family affair for us. I’m proud of my grandfather for being in the first class to earn a degree in broadcasting from CCM, and my sister for earning her undergrad and masters in education.  Hopefully, my nephews are future Bearcats!”

C’est Cheese occasionally stops close to UC’s campus, and even parks outside of the UC Alumni Association before all home football games, bringing cheesy goodness to alumni tailgating at the Bearcat Blitz. To find out if C’est Cheese will be in your neighborhood, visit her Facebook and Twitter pages!

Did you start your own business? How did your UC connections help you get started?