In 1983, Robert Pouget and his friend Gerry Stevens joined forces to establish a cheese shop in Oxford’s covered market, despite their unlikely backgrounds. Pouget, an artist and furniture designer, and Stevens, a manager of various pop groups, embarked on this venture. The cheese shop quickly gained popularity in Oxford, as there were few specialized cheese shops at the time, making it a delightful novelty.

In 1986, Robert Pouget founded the Oxford Cheese Company, which acquired the cheese shop in Oxford’s Covered Market. The company began wholesaling English and continental cheese to Oxford colleges and city restaurants. Concurrently, they launched a parallel operation from a production kitchen in Oxford City, focusing on the production and marketing of vegetarian food.

In 1995, Robert Pouget introduced Oxford Blue, a cheese reminiscent of Stilton but with a creamier texture, particularly as it aged. Oxford Blue has since become one of the most sought-after blue cheeses in England and is widely available at reputable independent food retailers.