Our story
Chiswick Cheese Market has become the prime destination for cheese lovers. With more than 200 different cheeses and high-quality accoutrements, the market draws producers and sellers from across the UK who bring cheese and related produce from around the world. Visitors discover something new each month whether it is a new trader or only seasonally available delicacies. And there is always something new to taste on Cheesewick HQ in our aim to promote the love for and knowledge of cheese.
It’s a happy coincidence that the leafy West London suburb of Chiswick, once known as Cheesewick or Ceswican in Old English (owing to a dairy farm by the Thames at Duke’s Meadow and meaning “Cheese Farm”), now hosts its own thriving cheese market. More than a thousand years after the settlement was named, a group of passionate women brought cheese back to Chiswick by launching a monthly market in May 2021.
Originally inspired by Jamie Oliver’s ‘Save British Cheese’ campaign in 2020 we set about creating a market for cheese producers and enthusiasts to come together over the very best cheeses from Britain and beyond and bring the wonder of well-crafted cheese to Chiswick.
The market is the brainchild of the Cookbook Kitchen, now Chiswick Cheese Market, a group of women who share a love of fine food and community spirit and who formed a Community Interest Company (CIC) specifically so that the market would be of benefit to the wider community. The market launched on 15th May 2021 with tremendous support. The Mayor of Hounslow was on hand to cut the ribbon and witness the cracking of a magnificent 41 kilo wheel of “Vacche Rosse” Red Cow Parmigiano Reggiano.
Since starting the market, we have delved into the wonderful world of cheese and the further in we get, the further we want to go, and we definitely want to take you with us. Two of our team are Level 2 Members of the Academy of Cheese and the entire team are soon to be Level 1 Associates. We have been invited – and in some cases invited ourselves – to judge awards, sponsor awards, sponsor cheese makers and cheese classes, to host events, talks, demonstrations tastings and pairings to which we have said a resounding YES.
We have witnessed and taken part in cheese making and we have even entered ourselves in the Affineur of the Year Awards (of which we are a sponsor in another category) and are busing lovingly looking over our very own 8 kilo Cropwell Bishop Shropshire Blue ‘cheese baby’ – Watch this space to see how we get on!
For more information on The Cheese Market, read this article from the Market Times April 2023 edition.
The team
The Chiswick Cheese Market is run by the Cookbook Kitchen, a group of women who are passionate about Chiswick and cheese! Among our ranks of dedicated foodies are restaurateurs, chefs, cooks, caterers, designers and cook-book authors.
To date we have produced the Cookbook Festivals 2018–2019 and host popular chef-led supper clubs in the local W4 area.
Yuka Caves
Favourite cheese: Morbier Wish: To own a house that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea Likes: Champagne
Sarah Cruz
Favourite cheese: Golden Cross Dream Dance: At Glastonbury pyramid stage Likes: Irish Setters
Lucy Cufflin
Favourite cheese: Cornish Kern Wish: Global tour to discover world’s best oysters Likes: Red lipstick
Donna Freed
Favourite cheese: Baron Bigod Wish: To top Interpol’s most wanted list Likes: Swanky sunglasses
Jules Kane
Favourite cheese: St Jude Wish: Cook a dinner party for George and Amal Clooney Likes: Cold water swimming
Lucy Lee-Tirrell
Favourite cheese: Red Cow Parmesan Wish: For a faster metabolism Likes: Not having to wear glasses any more
Abigail Pitcher
Favourite cheese: Pitchfork Wish: To enjoy a glass of Petrus Pomerol with Picasso Likes: Cooking spices
Jo Pratt
Favourite cheese: Alp Blossom Wish: To have her own cookery show Likes: Skiing very fast
Susan Rajbhandary
Favourite cheese: Minger Wish: To walk around France Likes: Funky modern art
Fran Warde
Favourite cheese: Beaufort AOC Wish: To ride with gauchos in Argentina Likes: Washed denim