The Big Cheese Making Kit – Bringing Homemade Cheesemaking to the World.
At Women Talking, we love celebrating stories of curiosity turning into creativity—and then into thriving businesses. That’s exactly what happened with The Big Cheese Making Kit, founded from one woman’s simple question: “If you can make yoghurt, could you make cheese too?”
What began as a kitchen experiment has grown into a business stocked in over 400 independent retailers in the UK (including Selfridges and The National Trust) and even as far afield as South Africa, Denmark, and The Netherlands. With seven different kits including a vegan range the brand has inspired thousands of people including myself to try their hand at cheesemaking at home.
We sat down with the founder Ailsa to talk about how it all began, the joys and challenges of running a foodie business, and why making your own cheese might just be the most satisfying (and delicious) hobby you’ll ever take up.
Origin Story & Inspiration
Can you take us back to that moment when you first thought, “I can make my own cheese”—what was it that really sparked the idea?
It all started when I was watching Hugh Fernley Wittingstall make yoghurt on the TV. I thought “Hang on, if I can make yoghurt can you make cheese?” I went looking for a kit so that I could give it a go, assuming there must be one out there, but when I realised there wasn’t (at least not one for pure beginners – there were some that looked really unattractive like Home Brew Kits) that little spark turned into an idea I just couldn’t let go of.
How did your first attempt at making cheese turn out? Was it a success or a learning curve?
Definitely a learning curve. I wouldn’t say the first batch was a total disaster, but it wasn’t exactly shop-ready either. My first try was mozzarella. It was very edible, but it didn’t look great! Still, that was part of the fun — tweaking, experimenting, and realising that with a few adjustments it could be done at home and the more mistakes I made the more I could refine the instructions so other people wouldn’t do the same.
Building the Business
What was the turning point where your hobby became a business idea?
The big shift came when I realised, I couldn’t find any kits on the market. If I was looking for one, surely other people would be too. That was when I started putting together something that would demystify cheesemaking and give people the confidence to have a go themselves. To be honest the ‘hobby’ element didn’t last long. It was really a business idea from day one…maybe two!
You’ve talked about trial and error—was there ever a point where you almost gave up?
There were definitely some tough days — sourcing the right ingredients, figuring out packaging, writing instructions clear enough for absolute beginners… it wasn’t always smooth sailing. But I never truly thought of giving up. The business was successful from day one and unlike a lot of other businesses I was in profit after only a few months. Keeping up with the growth was the hardest bit!
How did you go about creating the very first kits?
I started with the absolute essentials: a thermometer, rennet, citric acid — the things people wouldn’t already have in their cupboards. Then I built the recipes around everyday kitchen equipment so it wouldn’t feel daunting. I tested and tested until the instructions were simple, clear, and foolproof. Those first kits were hand-packed and sold locally, and that was the beginning. I created a few focus groups and got people testing the recipes and refined things from there.
The Range & Growth
You started with four kits, and now you’re up to seven including a vegan range—what inspired the expansion?
Listening to customers has been key. People would ask, “Can I make this cheese? What about non-dairy?” and I thought, why not! The vegan range, especially, came from noticing how many people were looking for plant-based options. And honestly, I just love the creativity of coming up with new kits.
Which kit has been the most popular with your customers, and why do you think that is?
The Ultimate Kit is our best seller. It’s the range people like (it makes 10 cheeses) and it fits perfectly in the male gifting market.
Challenges & Rewards
What has been the biggest challenge of turning a kitchen experiment into a successful international business?
Scaling up was the hardest part. It’s one thing to make a kit at your kitchen table, it’s another to make thousands of them and send them safely around the world. Making sure the ingredients were reliable, the packaging worked, and everything was consistent — that took a lot of work behind the scenes.
And what has been the most rewarding moment for you personally?
Developing our new range with Aardman has been an amazing experience and getting to take my 13-year-old daughter to their offices was the absolute icing on the cake! I loved every minute of it! Of course, being awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace by the (now) King was an incredible honour too.
Sustainability & Lifestyle
Do you think people are becoming more curious about where their food comes from?
Absolutely. More than ever, people want to know what’s in their food and how it’s made. Thankfully we’re much more aware of ultra processed foods now. Cheesemaking at home taps into that beautifully — it gives you control and transparency, plus the sheer pleasure of creating something yourself.
For someone new to home cheesemaking, what’s the biggest lifestyle benefit they’ll get out of it?
For me, it’s the sense of achievement. There’s nothing quite like sitting down with friends or family and saying, “I made this cheese.” It’s fun, it’s creative, and it can even be a bit mindful — the process makes you slow down and focus. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s pretty delicious!
Looking Ahead
What’s next for The Big Cheese Making Kit—any exciting new products or directions on the horizon?
We’ve literally just launched our new range of Wallace & Gromit Cheese Making Kits. If the 3 that we have launched do well (I’m more than sure they will!) maybe there will be a few more of those in development.
Do you think cheesemaking could become as popular at home as baking bread?
I don’t see why not. Ten years ago, lots of people thought baking bread was complicated, and now it’s a kitchen staple. Thanks to lock down there are plenty of folks with a sourdough starter! Cheesemaking has that same mix of magic and simplicity. Once people see how easy it can be, I think it can only continue to grow.
The Cheese Making Kits are not only fun but make perfect gifts. For more information visit the website here.
Poppy Watt