Kyle Books scoops The Cheese Life

Kyle Books has acquired The Cheese Life by cheese connoisseurs Mathew Carver and Patrick McGuigan.

Judith Hannam, publishing director, bought world rights directly from the authors. The Cheese Life will be published on 26th October in hardback.

Divided into Grill, Melt, Bake, Grate and Slice, the publisher says The Cheese Life celebrates the new wave of artisan cheeses sweeping the globe with gloriously gooey recipes and inventive cheese boards, as well as insights into how cheese is made, killer drinks matches and interviews with the people that work on the front line.

It goes on: “From how to make the ultimate fondue to the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, the recipes include feta and tomato tart, five cheese macaroni, smoked mozzarella sticks and cheese board accompaniments such as bacon jam and poached pears.

"Interspersed throughout are deep dives into key cheese varieties, from brie to blue, and wedges of cheesy wisdom, such as how to taste like a professional and when to eat the rind. Most of all it’s a book about having fun and enjoying good cheese from people who genuinely care about what they do.”

Hannam said: “Few people don’t like cheese – it’s bought by 98% of UK households – but the previously staid and stuffy cheese world has been taken in unexpected new directions by the huge surge in artisan cheesemaking, which Mathew and Patrick have been at the forefront of championing.

“There’s little they don’t know about the subject and their cookbook covers everything you need to know from why mould is good, to how to pair well and the best way to make the all important grilled cheese sandwich."

Carver founded The Cheese Truck in 2014, selling grilled cheese sandwiches to festival goers at Glastonbury from a bright yellow converted ice cream van. He has since opened three cheese restaurants in London – The Cheese Bar, The Cheese Barge and the world’s first conveyor belt of cheese at Pick & Cheese.

McGuigan is a cheese writer and educator, who has travelled from the Swiss Alps to the pastures of Vermont in search of good cheese. He writes for national newspapers and magazines, including the Telegraph and delicious magazine. He is also a judge at the World Cheese Awards and teaches at the Academy of Cheese. His first book, The Philosophy of Cheese, was published by the British Library in 2020.

He said: “We wanted to write a book that captured that spirit and unique culture, taking readers on a journey beneath the rind and deep into the heart of cheese. It’s packed full of amazing recipes, cheese profiles and cheeseboard advice. The book also profiles people who work at the cutting edge and explores issues, such as ’what makes good cheese?’ In other words, it’s a celebration of everything that goes into living and loving ’the cheese life’.”

Carver commented: “Who’d have thought back in 2014 when I set out in a 1970s yellow Bedford ice cream van to sell irresistible grilled cheese sandwiches in fields around the UK we’d end up writing a book!

"The Cheese Life is a celebration of the recipes from the last nine years. Alongside the recipes you’ll find informative and educational pieces giving you cheese know-how and answers to all your cheese-related questions from our good friend, Patrick."