Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese

Cheese expert and writer Tenaya Darlington (aka Madame Fromage) offers a complete—and completely fun—illustrated education in all things cheese: how it's made, how to serve and pair it, how to talk cheese like a pro, the 25 must-try cheeses for your bucket list, and much more.

In Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese, cheese expert and writer Tenaya Darlington (aka Madame Fromage) guides us through the fascinating and often confusing world of cheeses in a  compulsively readable, comprehensive illustrated primer—one that has a sense of humor, and that knows its stuff but feels not at all stuffy. Voice-y, approachable, and fun, the book offers an engaging, lighthearted education in all things cheese. Part 1 (Discover) covers the basics, from “Madame Fromage’s Template for a Great Cheese Board” to “All About Milk.” Part 2 (Explore) is packed with cheese board “itineraries” that focus on a particular style or family, emphasizing taste and texture rather than provenance (think “stinky” or “fresh” cheeses rather than “from the Loire Valley”). Madame Fromage offers an overview of the style family and how it’s made, seasonal information, buying tips, maker profiles, surprising pairing suggestions, and much more. Part 3 (Entertain) has shopping, sharing, and serving tips for the eager gatherer and dinner-party thrower, as well as how to taste cheese like a pro (that is, using the "Yoga Breath of Cheese" technique). Finally, in Part 4 (Keep Learning), we’re given an atlas of all things lactic: festivals, reading lists, classes, knives and tools, and even “Twenty Wild Cheeses to Explore Around the World.” Rounded out with a Dairy Dossier--an at-a-glance reference to the hundreds of cheeses mentioned throughout--this opinionated and beautifully illustrated book will be the perfect gift for every cheese lover.

About the Author

Tenaya Darlington serves as Cheese Director for two wine bars in Philadelphia, both called Tria, and is a member of the writing faculty at Saint Joseph’s University. When she’s not teaching cheese workshops under the name “Madame Fromage,” you can find her circumnavigating the globe as a guide for Cheese Journeys — a dairy-centric food tour company. She is also the author of Di Bruno Bros. House of Cheese and co-author of four cocktail books, including Booze and Vinyl, written in collaboration with her spirits-expert brother, André Darlington. Her writing has appeared in Cooking Light, The Philadelphia Inquirer, EdiblePhilly, Fermentation, and Culture Magazine. You can find her on social media as @mmefromage