As the crisp autumn air sets in, cheese lovers are rubbing together their hands – not to keep warm but in anticipation of all the cheese they’ll soon be enjoying. From the luxurious melt of a raclette to the smell of a nicely funky washed rind, autumn is definitely the best time of year to revel in all things cheese.
Is it a coincidence that the good people at Melbourne Food & Wine Festival chose autumn as the best time to indulge in Melbourne’s food scene? I think not.
Autumn in Australia brings an abundance of fresh, flavourful produce that just happens to pair beautifully with cheese. Apples, pears, figs, grapes, pumpkins, mushrooms, and locally sourced nuts all add vibrant contrast to different cheeses, offering endless pairing possibilities.
Say goodbye to sweating cheeses on the cheeseboard and hello to perfect temperature bites. Cooler autumn weather allows cheese to be served at its optimal texture and taste. Revel in the creamy lushness of a ripe brie, the fudgy density of a washed rind, or the nutty complexity of a well-aged cheddar without worrying about them turning into an unappetising oily puddle.
My perfectly curated autumn cheeseboard would feature robust local favourite, Razorback from The Peaks, an organic cow’s milk cheese with a rockstar attitude.
I can’t resist an aged Gouda like L’Amuse Signature Gouda, its nutty caramel paste studded with crunchy calcium crystals always delights.
Can’t not have a blue so I’ll opt for Victorian excellence in the form of Berry’s Creek Riverine Blue. This buffalo milk blue with its creamy texture and well-balanced flavour wins newbies and die-hards alike.
Autumn is the perfect time for comfort food, and cheese plays a starring role in so many of my favourite dishes.
Tartiflette: A classic French dish of potatoes, bacon, and melted cheese, made even better with local washed rind cheeses like L’Artisan Mountain Man
Ham & Raclette Tart: Using Dellendale Raclette, this dish delivers the ultimate melt and a punch in the face flavour, in the good way.
Mushroom & Washed Rind Rotolo: Earthy mushrooms meet the creamy pungency of a washed rind cheese for a hearty dinner that just happens to be vegetarian.
Apple & Camembert Tartine: Crunchy new season apples meet buttery camembert, creating an adorable autumn meet-cute.
Fig & Creamy Blue Pizza: Choose ripe, jammy figs and a creamy blue cheese to create an irresistible pizza combo.
Roast Pumpkin & Fromage Frais: Roasting pumpkin brings out all the natural sweetness to offset the fresh tang of fromage frais or a young chevre.
If you’re someone who loves cooking but sometimes loses your mojo, autumn is the perfect season to get back into the swing of things. Sometimes, all it takes is a few good ingredients—some local cheese, a ripe pear, and a drizzle of honey—to create something truly special.
So, as the leaves turn and the air cools, embrace the best cheese moments that autumn has to offer. Whether it’s a slow Sunday spent baking a cheesy tart, a midweek toastie made with whatever’s in the fridge, or an indulgent cheeseboard to share with friends, there’s no better time than autumn to celebrate the richness and variety of cheese.
For many home cooks seasoning is often rushed or left to the last minute. But with just a bit more attention to when and how we add salt and pepper, we can transform simple meals into something much more satisfying.
Whether you’re dipping a toe into new spice territory or deep-diving into your pantry’s potential, spices are here to help you cook with more confidence, creativity, and joy.
I first enjoyed this tipple on a cold Canadian evening in the town of Whitehorse in the Yukon in 2013. We were on a trip to hopefully sight the Northern Lights. Some friends of friends who lived in town had picked us up from the airport and entertained us for…