Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese - by Tenaya Darlington (Hardcover)

About the Book

"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"--

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"Fun, fascinating, and beautifully written... If you've ever found yourself lost in a cheese shop, Madame Fromage is the perfect guide to help you find your way to cheese nirvana."
--Patrick McGuigan, author of The Philosophy of Cheese

"A worldly romp--the ultimate 'how to enjoy cheese' tome."
--Allison Hooper, cofounder, Vermont Creamery

"Tenaya Darlington takes us on a creative journey that captivates and invigorates the palate. She has turned the sometimes daunting world of cheese into something fun and exciting!"
--Joe Beddia, author of Pizza Camp

"Madame Fromage has been my cheese guru for years--I am one of her "curd nerds"--and Tenaya's new book may be her best yet. Informative, thorough, with gorgeous illustrations. But the real thrill here is the wonderful writing, the way Tenaya's descriptions bring these cheeses to life. This is cheese writing on the level with great wine or travel writing. No one writes about cheese better than Tenaya does."
--Jason Wilson, author of Godforsaken Grapes and Boozehound, and creator of the Everyday Drinking newsletter

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