Steven Jenkins (1) (1950–)

Steven Jenkins' Cheese Primer was the first thing I read when I started as a cheesemonger. The Food Life imparts the same passion and knowledge about the world's great foods.
Jenkins is opinionated. His take on food is classically Euro-centric, and uninfluenced by current trends or eat-local style political movements. He sneers at all sorts of things, California in particular. His braggadocio crops up on nearly every page.
I really enjoyed this book. It is an honest look at the life of someone show more who loves food, and has a passion for finding fantastic gustatory memories. I don't always agree with Jenkins, but I like what listening to what he's saying. show less

I am educating myself on one of my major hobbies, the enjoyment of cheese. I have seen this book cited as an essential reference, and I can see why. If you love cheese, there's much to love about this book. Jenkins's approach can be a touch elitist at times, but his points are understandable and his breadth of knowledge without question. He discusses well-known cheeses, which makers are best and worst, what to look for in ripeness (and what to avoid), how to serve the cheeses, plus show more historical and cultural information galore. The biggest downside is that the book was published in the mid-1990s and I recognized several cheesemakers that are no more. Still, a fantastic reference book to keep around, as it offers insights into the industry beyond even what the internet can offer. show less

My copy of The Cheese Primer is almost in tatters from use behind the cheese counter. In this book, Steven Jenkins reflects on his travels in the great cheesemaking regions of Europe, and doles out some very useful information about cheese. He is certainly opinionated, and that comes across in his prose. So far, he hasn't steered me wrong. This book is a handy guide to European and some American cheeses.

The aspect of this book that I find most useful is the quick reference section located show more towards the end of the text. Well known cheeses are listed alphabetically with information about similar cheeses, wine parings, pronunciation, origins, among other facts about the cheeses.

Though a little out of date (Interest in American cheesemaking has dramatically increased since this book was published in 1996), The Cheese Primer is an invaluable tool for both the cheesemonger and connoisseur. show less

An encyclopedia of cheeses presented by geographical country and region, with helpful pronunciation guides, descriptions of each cheese, and tips on selecting a primer specimen of each type. Includes a few recipes, but also will guide which foods and wines complement each cheese. Best for those that are able to travel to Europe because (as the author laments ad nauseum) raw milk, i.e., unpasteurized, cheeses aged for less than 60 days may not be legally imported to the United States. As the show more author almost universally declares pasteurized or domestic versions unacceptable, you'd need to travel to sample most of the cheeses recommended in this book. show less