Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese: How to Explore It, Pair It, and Love It, from the Creamiest Bries to the Funkiest Blues

by Tenaya Darlington

A transporting guide to all things cheese, from how and where it's made to how to truly taste it
 
Meet Madame Fromage, aka Tenaya Darlington. A charming, witty, deeply knowledgeable and, above all, passionate caseophile—a fancy way of saying cheese lover—she’s here to teach us pretty much everything we need to know about choosing cheese, tasting it, pairing it, and sharing it.
 
Structured around the concept of eight tasting journeys, Madame Fromage takes us on tours through the cheese world. We skydive into fresh cheeses, like chevres, ricotta, and buffalo mozzarella. Trek through the Alpines, with its Emmentalers and Gruyeres. Go spelunking into stinky cheeses like Taleggio, Pont-l’Eveque, and the rank Langres. Take a geological adventure with aged cheeses, including Parmigiano Reggiano and Manchego, and hop on a blue cheese rock ’n’ roll tour—with their piercings and weird markings, these funky gorgonzolas, Roqueforts, and Stiltons are the rock stars of the cheese world. They also pair well with bourbon and elevate a burger, not to mention a wedge salad.
 
Along the way we learn about pasture-raised animals, spend time with fearless cheesemakers, discover tips on creating next-level boards for every style of cheese. And find a bucket-list of 25 greats readers will want to tick off, one by one. For any curd nerd whose eyes light up at the mere mention of triple crème, it’s a journey that can’t be missed.
 

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, History, Cooking, Culinary

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2023

About the author

Tenaya Darlington is a cheese educator and author based in Philadelphia who began penning a cheese blog in 2007 under the name "Madame Fromage." Since then, she has written about artisan cheese for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Organic Life, Cooking Light, Fermentation, CheeseProfessor.com, Culture Magazine, and other publications.

She teaches food writing on the faculty at Saint Joseph's University and serves as Cheese Director for Tria, a pair of Philadelphia wine bars. In the summers, she co-hosts cheese tours in Europe with a dairy-centric food tour company called Cheese Journeys.

For the launch of her new book, Tenaya is offering virtual workshops as part of her new Traveling Cheese School. Details are posted on her website.

Instagram: @mmefromage
Website: www.madamefromage.net.

Reviews

[Mai H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say Fromage 🧀

I'm one of those lactose intolerant people that won't touch dairy milk with a ten foot pole, but eats a shit ton of cheese. It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me.

While some of this reads like a straight encyclopedia, the majority of it is very entertaining and delicious. I salivated. Don't mind me planning a trip back to France to try the raw milk cheeses which are illegal to consume in the States. Why you gotta do me dirty like that?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

[Beth Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy vis NetGalley.

What a delightful homage to fromage! Renowned cheese influencer Darlington (aka Madame Fromage) has created a delightful resource for people with a vast range of familiarity with the world of artisan cheese. I've read a lot of cheese books, and some tend to feel basic and redundant to me at this point. Darlington delivers fresh spins to the topic by including mini interviews and insights from cheese professionals around the world, the text supported by fun, drool-inducing illustrations throughout. (This is definitely a book that needs to be read in an ebook format that supports the full-color layouts or in old-fashioned print form.) There is information and recommendations galore for cheeses of all kinds, plus pairings of preserves or pickles or alcohol or other beverages. The back of the book lists opportunities for more reading and real-life cheese adventuring. I learned many new things! I definitely want this book in print for my cheese reference shelf.

[Saskia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cheese and have yet to meet the one I don't enjoy. This is a fantastic guide on cheeses that are available in the US (even if you have to venture to some specialty shops), what to pair them with, and a good number of dips and small dishes to make with cheese. It's one of those books that would make a great addition to any coffee table and as soon as it hits the shelves I'll make sure to get a hardcopy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for providing an ARC

[Meredith Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5/5 stars) For all you cheese wheyfarers, this book is a goud-a one for you! I enjoyed this delightful homage to fromage (as the author puts it). Darlington opens Part One: Discover with a history of cheese, explanations of how cheese is made, the variables that make each cheese unique, and a glossary of cheese terms. I think my favorite part of the book was Part Two: Explore, where Darlington takes the reader on eight cheese adventures that span from fresh cheese (think: mozzarella, ricotta, etc.) to soft-ripened (brie and Camembert) to aged (e.g., gouda and manchego) to blue (the rockstar of the cheese world, complete with piercings that encourage the blue mold veins to grow within the cheese!). In each section, Darlington recommends cheeses and pairings, provides a history of the type of cheese and what makes it unique, and even includes interviews with experts - from cheesemongers to scientists that study cheese crystals. The book closes with Part Three: Entertain and Part Four: Keep Learning which include tips for creating instagrammable cheese boards, choosing pairings, caring for the cheeses you buy, and a myriad of recommendations for cheese shops, experiences, and additional reading if you want to learn more. This book is great for even a cheese novice, and I really enjoyed the read!

This is definitely a book to read either in print form or in an ebook format where the art can truly be appreciated. The illustrator did a fantastic job, and I honestly would consider putting up a print in my kitchen of the alpine cheese chapter art if it ever became available without me having to pirate it from a screenshot!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenaya Darlington is a self-confessed connoisseur of cheese and makes absolutely no excuses for this passion in her life. With her latest book Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese, she invites us all into one great, big, huge adventure discovering, sampling and pairing cheeses of the world with wonderful wines, beers and foods.
Having an immense, life changing experience over a slice of Roquefort cheese in Philadelphia was inspirational. Being new to the City she slowly, slice by tempting slice of various cheeses stocked at the delightfully quaint Italian delicatessen, she became a convert to the rich and wonderful world of cheese, which led to a blog under her ‘nom de plume’ Madame Fromage; from there her course through life was set.
But on with the adventure now you know a little about your host and guide. Set out in the style of a journey in and around the world of cheese makers, the first thing to do is to Discover.
Explore sees the adventurer skydiving into Fresh Cheese, taking a Transatlantic Cheddar Crossing, trekking the Swiss Alps, discovering crystals, yes real crystals, in cheese, eventually ending up having a Rock and Roll experience with Blue cheese.
Moving on, it becomes very apparent that while enjoying, sampling, buying and eating cheese is all very well, in order to keep your cheeses in tip top order or to make the most out of your entertaining, now you are returned from your adventures, you need to understand a little more, which has been presented in Entertain.
This covers 50 must try cheeses, what to pair with various cheeses and understanding the Lactic Lexicon so you can talk with knowledge about your latest find, know what you are buying and be able to pair it perfectly.
Throughout the book are many zany illustrations to lighten the volume of information, as well as many delicious pairing, adventurous taste sensation journeys to be taken. The final section Keep Learning encourages digging deeper, discovering cheese festivals on a global basis, having a go at making your own. More importantly you are encouraged to discover your own neighbourhood locales for those often hidden gems of delicatessens that sell some divine, interesting and taste tempting cheeses.
Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese is a must have for anyone who fancies themselves as, or is a budding cheeses connoisseur, but do ensure you read the final segment of the book as there is the delectable Dairy Dossier – at a glance Cheese profiles, to give you a quick reference guide when you next go out to buy your cheeses. All are featured in the book.
Enjoy the journey. Safe and delectable travels.

[Tiffany T · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful exploration of cheeses! It was quite a gouda read and brie-ly introduced me to a fascinating world! Would recco for any cheese lover!

[Poppy Marlowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a curd nerd. A Caseiophile. A Turophile. I crave cheese..but this book only made me hungry for cheese that I cannot get in Canada. I happen to love ZIngerman's in Ann Arbor and go there every time we are nearby but we have not been there since COVID hit.

This is a great guide if you live in the USA and can order these cheeses or even find them in the cave of your choice. It did have a lot of information that I could use in guiding me to the right cheese and to make the right cheese board but it is not hyper-specific-American for our collection. (Had I lived in the USA, it would have been 5 stars!)

#shortbutsweetreviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard of Madame Fromage from Joe Berlowitz’s American Cheese, which opened my eyes to a cheese world in America that I didn’t know existed. Mme Fromage was one of the people whose extensive knowledge of cheese helped educate and inspire him, which in turn educated and inspired me. And now Madame Fromage has built on that to educate and inspire us all to the cheese of the world in Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese. And I just want to say, I’ve got my metaphorical bags packed (with crackers, mostly) and I am ready. Show me your world of cheese!

Madame Fromage’s real name is Tenaya Darlington, and by day she is an educator and a writer. She started a cheese blog in 2007 under the name Madame Fromage, and went on to write for magazines, write a book for Di Bruno Brothers House of Cheese, and now she even runs cheese tours to Europe as well as offering virtual classes on her website. She has spent over 15 years as a cheese journalist, and she shares her expertise and her passion for cheese with readers of this new book.

She starts us on our cheese journey by talking about the main ingredient, the milk. Whether it’s cow, sheep, goat, or buffalo milk, the fresher the milk, the better the cheese. There are a lot of variables that go into the flavor of the milk, starting from the plants that the animals eat. A talented cheesemaker can bring out the mild flavors of the grass, of the local herbs or flowers or mushrooms. And the people Mme Fromage introduces us to are all talented. She takes us into the world of a cheesemaker, cheesemonger, affineur, washed-rind cheese specialist, and cheese painter, among others. She gets us backstage at the Cheesemonger Invitational and can help you feel at home at any cheese shop.

But throughout her travels, she makes sure that we know what to do with the cheese when we get home. She teaches us how to put together a cheese board, helps us make a fondue, teaches us how to store the cheese, offers up ideas for alcohol and smack pairings, and gives us options for adding cheese to meals. She teaches us how to taste cheese like a pro and offers a list of 50 must-try cheeses to practice that technique on. And when you want more than that, she has ideas for cheese travel that includes festivals and international destinations.

If you’re curious but holding back because you prefer to eat healthy, Madame Fromage will explain how healthy these cheese are. Because the animals have a plant-based diet and these cheeses are made fresh, without preservatives, they’re better than some of the usual grocery store choices. And the fermentation that comes with aging offers up healthy bacteria for your system. In other words, cheese is a superfood. And if you’re worried about the cost of getting into cheese this deeply, well, that is a legitimate concern. But she does understand and offers up budget ideas for cheese fans without a lot of money to spend.

I have loved the time I spent with Madame Fromage and her love of cheese. But I will say that reading it once will not be enough. I will spend a lot of time picking this up again and again, like a beloved cookbook. I will go back to her cheese board ideas and pairings. I will make lists of cheese I want to try and haunt the websites she recommends for buying cheese. I will be reminded of the people who put their time and energy into their cheeses. I will dream of shopping for cheese in Italy and France and the Alps. And I will be grateful that I had such a generous and knowledgeable tour guide. This one is a keeper, and it would make an amazing gift.

Egalleys for Madame Fromage’s Adventure’s in Cheese were provided by Workman Publishing Group through NetGalley, with many thanks.

[Nina Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read for cheese lovers!

But, only 4 stars. Okay, so initially I was a little put off by the writing. There was a strong attempt made to be light and witty when I would rather it have been more direct and straightforward as it is a nonfiction book and I genuinely wanted to learn about cheese. However, when I looked up the author on instagram, watched some of her videos and got a feel for who she is, the tone felt fitting. For me though, I found that style of writing to be a bit clunky for my tastes.

The Meh:

I felt that the book was written like a magazine at times, seeing that the author has written for a number of magazines makes sense as to why this is. This is a personal issue more than a book issue as I got it looking to learn about cheese and for the lovely graphics. Like in a magazine, there is a lot of telling me that it is going to tell me something. The writing felt repetitive because of those intros and leads, they didn’t work for me. I could tell that it was written with the intent of being a coffee table book, easy to skim and nice to look at as opposed to being read for information. Finally, I didn’t care for the interviews with various cheese affineurs, specifically the ones near the beginning. The questions felt overly general and subjective as opposed to being used for the purpose of giving expertise or coaching. I also found that the answers were filled with platitudes and opinions that I didn’t find to be valuable or interesting. That was likely because the questions themselves were weak.

The Great:

As a coffee table book, it really is quite lovely if you like the color yellow - some people just don’t. I personally liked the use of drawings and graphics as opposed to photographs and thought they were quite nice. In particular, I like the images of cheese boards and affineurs done in this manner and thought that the illustrations made the book kind of whimsical and overall appealing.

I purchased this book because I wanted to learn about cheese pairings, tasting adjectives, affineur history, aging processes, machinery, geography, recipes, etc. On all these topics and more Madame Fromage delivered. I tabbed a good amount of the book, especially the breakdowns of cheese styles, boards and pairings. I definitely put the book down feeling confident in my new ability to identify quality cheese in the store and articulate my opinions on taste and texture of cheese better. I also immediately dropped way too much money, trialing my new learnings at the store, but now have a drawer full of cheese to explore. I learned so much from this book, more than expected, and I walked away inspired to explore more types of cheese, pairings, and recipes.

I recommend this book to people who love cheese and have a genuine interest in going deep into where it came from, how it’s made and aged, and what to do with it. I also think it would make a nice gift for a cheese loving friend.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese by Tenaya Darlington

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

First off, love the cover on this book. It’s colorful, eye-catching, and fun. So on to my review…an entire book about cheese, sign me up! I love cheese in all forms. I love eating it. I love watching it be made. I just love cheese!

Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese by Tenaya Darlington is a delightful and informative guide that takes readers on a journey through the world of cheese. With her charming and witty writing style, Darlington, also known as Madame Fromage, shares her deep knowledge and passion for all things cheese.

The book is structured around the concept of eight tasting journeys, allowing readers to explore various types of cheese and discover their unique flavors and characteristics. From fresh cheeses like chevres and buffalo mozzarella to stinky cheeses like Taleggio and Pont-l’Eveque, Madame Fromage covers a wide range of cheese varieties. The book also delves into aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Manchego, as well as the fascinating world of blue cheeses like gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton.

One of the highlights of Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese is the author’s ability to transport readers into the cheese world. Through her vivid descriptions, readers can almost taste the creamy textures and complex flavors of each cheese. The book also introduces readers to pasture-raised animals and fearless cheesemakers, providing a deeper understanding of the cheese-making process.

The visuals in this book are visually pleasing, with colorful graphics and fun fonts that add to the overall enjoyment. The “field guides” are particularly impressive, offering readers a wealth of information about different types of cheese, including their origins, flavor profiles, and suggested pairings.

As a cheese lover myself, I found this book to be a treasure trove of knowledge. It covers everything from the history of cheese to the ingredients used in its production. Whether you’re a seasoned cheese connoisseur or just starting your cheese journey, Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese has something for everyone.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese to any cheese enthusiast. With its engaging writing style, beautiful visuals, and comprehensive information, this book is a must-have for anyone who appreciates the art of cheese-making and wants to discover new flavors and pairings. So go ahead and indulge yourself in this cheesy adventure – you won’t be disappointed!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese by Tenaya Darlington is an absolute must for fellow caseophiles, those who value these treasures. Whimsical illustrations add charm. Author Tenaya Darlington, aka Madame Fromage, takes the reader through the history of cheese, learning about the virtues of pastures, the life cycle of cheese, components of cheese, animals which produce milk for cheese, definitions, discovering cheeses on travels (including a fabulous bucket list of 25 to check off, some of which I already have), cheddaring and eight cheese journeys such as soft, alpine and cheeses with extra bits added (truffles, herbs, spices). Each section includes pairings and accompaniments, off-the-beaten-path blurbs, kitchen tips and anecdotes. The reader also learns which rinds to eat. Not only that but there is also a wonderful selection of cheeseboard ideas, how best to eat specific cheeses, recipes and a reference section. While the illustrations are excellent, die-hard fans may miss not having photographs. The organization, layout and graphics are excellent and colourful boxes make things easier to remember.

As an avid traveler besotted with cheese, it is always on my itinerary from visiting local cheese farms and specialty shops to attending European cheese festivals. At any given time there are at least five to seven kinds in my house and I have many unforgettable cheese memories. Though I have an entire shelf in my personal library dedicated to cheese books, this one has that special something fresh, crisp and new. In my home in Croatia I am surrounded by cheesemakers and am therefore spoiled with choice. But this book really got me thinking about several more to add to my list and incorporating them into future trips. That is the power of this book!

If cheese is a part of your life...or you want it to be...this is for you. Even cheese aficionados will learn something new. It's incredibly appealing and jam-packed with information. Your bucket list is in reach!

My sincere thank you to Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this delectable book.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese is a well written, lightly humorous, encouraging, and info packed guide to choosing, using, pairing, and serving cheese, written and curated by Tenaya Darlington. Released 12th Sept 2023 by Hachette on their Workman imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

There's a bewildering array of cheese purpose built for every situation. There are artisanal cheeses made from an astounding array of milks and casein containing products and "Madame Fromage" gives the low-down on most of them. The book is engagingly written and graphically appealing and arranged in a logical manner so the info is easy to find and use.

The chapters are arranged in order: discovery (building a cheese board, what cheese *is* and how it's made, and more), exploration (different classes of cheese including fresh, soft ripened, cheddars, Alpine cheeses and even "stinky" cheeses), entertaining (shopping for, buying, and presenting cheese), and further reading and learning opportunities (cheese tours!!). The author/publisher has provided a bibliography and resources, links lists, glossary, and cross referenced index.

The illustrations are simple and colorful; there are no photographs. Items of special interest are presented in highlighted text boxes throughout.

Five stars. Interesting information, usefully presented, attractively packaged, and arranged in an accessible and logical manner. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, as well as for smallholders and foodies.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Karen Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Cheese? Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese: How to Explore It, Pair It, and Love It, from the Creamiest Bries to the Funkiest Blues has everything anyone would like to know about it. Tanaya Darlington is a “cheese genius” and seems to exist because of cheese. Anyone who loves cheese and wants to get to know it better will want to pick up this fun book to learn everything there is to know about cheese and more.

Who knew that there are not only hundreds of kinds of cheese, but that there is so much to learn about it. This book takes readers on tours around the world with cheese as the main topic. The book features cute illustrations (unfortunately no actual photographs), which give the book an almost magical tone. It covers the history of cheese (including a cheese timeline dating back to 5000 BC), ingredients used in cheese, and different kinds of cheese that all of us should know about and want to taste.

The prose is well-written, fascinating, and witty at times. Madame Fromage is someone most of us would like to know. Although this book only includes a few real recipes and some “sort of” recipes, it does include wine pairings and other information on serving cheese, along with cheeseboard ideas. It’s a great reference to have on hand, and for cheese aficionados, will be a much-used reference. Fun! Fun! Fun!


Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

[Dione Hanke · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life with cheese has been changed forever thanks to this book! My adventures in cheese are just beginning.

What in the world is a book about that is called Adventures in Cheese? Is this for real? This book will probably tell you more than you ever wanted to know about cheese. But you find as you read it that cheese is a much more interesting topic than you ever dreamed. Tenaya starts by telling you about her time in a cheese shop and how she discovers all the different types of cheese.

I thought that all cheese was made from cow's milk. There are detailed descriptions of the three sources of milk to make cheese; cows, goats and sheep. Tenaya teaches about how cheese is made and why we care. She taught me why I care if cheese is aged. You get a trip around the world in cheese and where the best cheese is made.

Then she spends time suggesting different ways to enjoy cheese and how to pair it with drinks and other food. The book includes information about where to buy cheese and how to order it and have it shipped to you. But the most important lesson I learned was how to store cheese. I had no idea. Everything I have been doing is not good for the cheese. My cheese will be much happier in the future.

There is more to life than great sharp cheddar cheese! Who Knew!

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese feels like a book you want to love, it's filled with beautiful illustrations and lots of good information to help you build your own cheeseboards like a pro — even the gimmick of a cheese travel guide hosting you on this adventure sounds kinda fun. The only problem is the execution is as clunky as a wrinkly rind cheese. That's because while Darlington shines when spitting cheese facts, she fails when sharing her cheese travel stories, talking down to the reader in a way that feels like she was writing a cheese journey for children. There's a lot of solid information to be gleaned here though, as long as you can stomach those cringe-worthy sections of the text. The bright and engaging illustrations and layout make this an excellent beginner's cheese guide, worthy of use as an easy-access cheese reference book and refresher whenever you're putting together a cheeseboard or considering cheese pairings for entertaining. Would make a wonderful gift for the budding foodies in your life.

[Lastblossom]

tl;dr
Fun and informative, this book will also really really spark your appetite.

Thoughts
If I didn't already know the author was a blogger, I'd probably guess, because the cadence of the book hits that perfect sweet spot of enthusiastic people sharing slices of knowledge in inviting vignettes. I already like cheese. But even as a fan of all things cheese, this covered so much more knowledge than I already had. History, science, geography - all the things that make cheese such a varied and exciting food. I was only a few pages in before had to hit pause and check to see if there were any local cheesemakers I could check out. And I think that's the strength of this book. It's informative, sure. But mostly it's inspiring. It makes me want to learn more, try new flavors, and have friends along for the ride. And honestly, that's pretty great.

Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love cheese, but had never heard of the author and was thrilled to discover that this book is one of those finds that are real gems. After looking at the history, science and geography around cheese, Madame Fromage embarks with us on a series of adventures, i.e. suggesting cheese boards from fresh cheese to aged, and everything in between. Besides giving information on what makes each cheese unique, there are pairings, menu suggestions and personal stories from the author. Interspersed throughout are interesting vignettes spotlighting people that have made cheese their career in different ways. The last part of the book has so many tips and suggestions, as well as an extensive glossary with books and other resources. Last but not least: the illustrations are great. Highly recommend!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calling all cheeseholics!

This is no story - this is facts about cheese. This is literally a guide on how to pair cheese, how to pick cheese, properties of cheese and the cheese-making process. Cheeseboards, traveling adventures for cheese, types of cheese (from milder to stinky), etc. Everything you want to know about cheese, it’s here, including interviews with experts.

I loved this book. It was informative, fun, and I came out of it respecting cheese that much more. I actually read this with the intentions to make a list of cheeses I wanted to try, and that was concurred. Now, I want to go to my local grocery store and look at cheese for an hour at least.

If you see a crazy lady inspecting/smelling cheese, you can thank Madame Fromage’s book for being a bad influence on people on the cusp of losing it with cheese.

Loved this!

[Randal White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! Very educational without being stuffy, easy to read, and just plain fun.
I was hooked from the very first pages, when the author started with a cheese that is produced within a couple of miles of my wife's home farm in Wisconsin. Every time we visit family back there, we pack a cooler with delicious local cheeses to bring back to Seattle. (Hot tip: no matter what anyone says, the best cheese is ALWAYS from Wisconsin).
There is just so much information on cheese in this book that I will be returning to it again and again for reference. Besides a lifetime of different cheeses to try, the little tidbits about the cheeses are very good to know.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, Quirky and Cool!

The cover of this book is whimsical and approachable which I greatly appreciate. Some cookbooks can come off as pretentious with their overstaged photographed images making me feel inadequate before I've even delved in. The writing was intelligent and the information well-organized. I became slightly addicted to read about the various cheese journeys the author uses to educate readers about the types of cheese milk bases, firmness, and characteristics. I really appreciate the fresh perspective and wonderful pairings. It inspired me enough to visit my local cheese shop and start my own journey. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Sierra]

This was a wonderful book to start my cheese journey! The flavors are well-described and I enjoyed taking her suggestions. The book was quite attractive and easy to read. It was a little too focused on cheeses of western Europe and the United States, but those are also the easiest to find in the US, where the author is from and this book is being published. More dedicated cheese fans may be able to skip this one, but it was great for me. Plus the place that supplies my school's cheese was listed.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute book! It highlights different cheeses and what to pair them with and making your own cheese boards and the history of the cheese. There's a lot of information on tasting as well as specific cheeses Darlington likes. The book is sorted by cheese type, including stinky cheese which is a nice touch. This is an informative read!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. With different interviews with cheesemongers, cheesemakers, and the author's own love of cheese, this book is for every cheese lover. Broken down into different sections, we learn about the cheeses of the world, how to build the perfect cheese board, and perfect pairings.

Thank you Netgalley and Workman Publishing Company for the ARC!

[Amy Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cheese. My favorite restaurant has a cheese cave, and if you order cheese they bring a giant board (with its own collapsible stand) to your table and talk you through the dozen or more cheese on offer that night, then ask you to select what you want. They serve it on a long platter with local honey and fig jam, and it's one of my favorite things in the world.

I recognized some of my favorite cheeses in this book, but also learned about so many cheeses that I haven't tried. Darlington explains why some cheeses have certain flavors and textures, why some cost more than others, and how specific cheeses are made. For each category of cheese she provides suggestions for groupings for a board, as well as beverages and foods that pair well with each cheese type. The interviews with the cheesemongers were a nice bonus and gave some great insight as to what it's like to work in the world of cheese. I wasn't sure at first if I liked the choice of using illustrations over photographs but the art grew on me as I read. Highly recommended for serious cheese lovers and casual dabblers alike.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining and comprehensive book about everything related to cheese.
I can't eat a lot of it, being diabetic, and read this book mouthwatering.
Well done.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great guide to everything cheese. I especially loved the breakdown per types of cheese and the pairing suggestions. The charts are very useful and where to buy locally sourced cheeses too. Overall, it's a great and entertaining guide to everything cheese.

[Everet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book initially as a coffee table book, but oh my God, it's so good! The author is an excellent writer, and the illustrations are gorgeous! I've been recommending this book to anyone who will listen

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book. Good tips throughout. Definitely recommend

Thank you to Tenaya Darlington, NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for the arc of this book.

[Donna Luu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too much info on cheese, but some of the deeper dives were fun. I do like the idea of a cheese vacation too 😀

[Kati Polodna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am SO HUNGRY.