The English poet John Betjeman, active from the 1950s to the 1980s, frequently incorporated food imagery, including cheese, into his humorous and nostalgic poems celebrating English life. Betjeman's affectionate portrayals of cheese and other traditional English foods reflect his deep attachment to the English countryside and its culinary heritage.

Betjeman's poetry has been praised for its accessible, witty style and its celebration of English traditions, including cheese. His work has influenced later poets who seek to explore the intersection of food, place, and identity, and his cheese references remain a beloved part of his poetic legacy. He stands as a key figure in the tradition of English food poetry.