Let’s be honest from the get-go: I don’t think I’ve ever met a cheese I don’t like. So when Michael from Kaesenova reached out and asked if I wanted to join his Cheese Discovery Walk, my answer was basically an enthusiastic Yes Please. No hesitation. I mean, if you’re offering me cheese and a chance to learn the fine art of building the perfect cheese board – I am in.
Meet Michael, the Kaesenova himself
Michael is one of those people you meet and immediately think, “Okay, this guy knows his cheese and then some”. Originally from Yorkshire, he’s spent years in London running some of the finest cheese shops in the UK, he founded The British Cheese Centre in Zürich, where he imported and sold the best artisan farmhouse cheeses from all over the UK. He’s spoken to international media about his passion for cheese, sold some to Royalty, Presidents and celebrities and is presently working on his book Confessions of a Kaesenova, where he shares all the cheesy tales from his colourful career. Busy man!
These days, Michael’s based in the Netherlands, running everything from Cheese Workshops to his popular “Shopping Walks,” where you’ll get the inside scoop on where to find the best cheeses in Amsterdam and enjoy them at local bars, breweries, or even on private canal boat cruises. And it’s not just beer – Michael also pairs cheese with Dutch wine, showing you how the two come together in the best possible way. Let’s just say: this guy is the real deal, and I was pretty stoked to experience his cheese wisdom firsthand.
It’s never too early for cheese
Now, I know what you’re probably thinking – what kind of cheese adventure starts at 11am on a weekday? Well, this one does. It was a classic Amsterdam summer’s day – sun was out, but let’s be real, it could’ve rained at any second. The weather in Amsterdam really does keep you on your toes. Anyway, I met up with Michael and the other 7 cheese enthusiasts, ready to dive into the city’s best cheese shops.
We kicked things off with a stroll through the relatively quiet streets of Central Amsterdam. Honestly, there’s something kind of magical about this part of the city in the morning. The rush of tourists hasn’t hit yet, so it feels like you’ve got the place to yourself. As we walked, Michael dropped some cool Amsterdam facts, but of course, he couldn’t get too far into the history without weaving in a little cheese talk.
He shared how cheese has connected him with people from all walks of life – and, of course, with some incredible stories. One of my favorites? The tale of the Swiss lady and the Stilton cheese maker. Michael told it with such warmth that it tuck at every heart string in the group. But I’m not going to spoil it for you – head to the Kaesenova website if you want the full story.
How to build the perfect cheese board
After that little cheese-based history lesson, we made our way to our first stop: a lovely cheese shop with the kind of selection that makes you want to just sit down and eat everything in sight. As we sampled some delicious cheeses, Michael explained how to build the perfect cheese board. It’s not just about throwing together a bunch of random cheeses (although, honestly, that would still be delicious), but about balancing flavours and textures and characters to make every bite a little masterpiece. So, yes, I learned something new – I’m officially prepared to curate the best cheese boards at my next dinner party.
Next, we walked over to our second shop, and this time, I was pretty sure I was in cheese heaven. We tasted more varieties and Michael threw in some architectural titbits about the buildings around us, too – because why not combine cheese with a little bit of history and culture?
My favourite pair: Cheese and beer
Then, after all that cheese knowledge, we headed to the final stop of the tour: In De Wildeman, a 300-year-old brewery come brown café. Now, Michael described this place as a bit of a religious experience for beer lovers, and after tasting a few of their incredible brews, I totally get it. If you love beer and you’re in Amsterdam, this spot is a must-visit. We had an impressive lineup of beers paired with the cheeses we’d picked up earlier: Fransje, Petit Langres, Munster, Aged Gouda, Remeker Old, Zwarte Tur, and the showstopper, Cashel Blue (which, fun fact, is HRH Charles III’s favourite blue cheese – just saying).
Each beer paired complemented the cheese in a way that made me appreciate both even more. My favourite? Honestly, it’s hard to pick, but the Cashel Blue with the imperial stout was something else. I’m not saying I had seconds, but… well, I definitely had seconds.
Sometimes it’s the friends you make along the way
And you know what, one the biggest highlight of the day, apart from the cheese, the beer, or even the chance to learn from one of the best in the business, was meeting Julie. The 93-year-old lady who, with her daughter in tow, was living her best life on holiday. She regaled us with stories from her travels through Europe 50 years ago, proving that it’s never too late to do something amazing. Julie, you’re an absolute legend, and I’m so glad we met on this cheesy adventure.
Whether you’re a seasoned local or a visitor in the city, you’ll definitely have fun and learn something new on this tour! Check out Michael’s website here and follow him on his socials to see what he’s up to!
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