I recently had the pleasure of attending a talk by Ned Palmer, author of A Cheesemonger’s Tour de France. His latest book features eleven chapters, each one dedicated to a favourite French cheese. As Ned journeys through France, he visits tiny farms and remote smallholdings, meeting cheesemakers who are continuing centuries-old traditions. These producers craft cheese that truly reflects the land it comes from – the climate, the pasture, the heritage – and Ned captures it all with warmth and wit.
This isn’t just a book about cheese. It’s a charming travelogue packed with stories, flavours and encounters. Alongside vivid descriptions of rural France, Ned offers notes on wine pairings, historical anecdotes and delightful food detours. He’s also written similar books on British and Irish cheese, which are equally full of passion and insight.
If you ever get a chance to hear Ned speak, go! He brings along a generous platter of cheeses for the audience to sample as he shares stories about their origins. That said, even if you’re reading from your sofa, you’ll feel transported to France, standing in a barn with the smell of hay in the air and the sound of goats nearby.
Ned’s knowledge and enthusiasm shine through every page. A book to savour – again and again. £18.99
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