FOOD & DRINK
ASK THE EXPERTS : SAY CHEESE
CREATE A HOMAGE TO FROMAGE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY . EXPERT JONATHAN COOK FROM THE CHEESE SHOP TUNBRIDGE WELLS TALKS TO US ABOUT ALL THINGS CURD - FROM CAKES TO CHEESE SELECTIONS FOR YOUR BIG DAY
WORDS : OLIVIA RICCINI
WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN IT COMES TO SELECTING MY WEDDING CHEESE ? Before deciding on styles and number of cheeses , it is important to understand how much cheese overall there is to play with , using factors such as number of guests , what other food is being served , when it is being served etc . 70g to 100g per person is a good starting point .
In terms of selecting styles and number of cheeses , whether it is a cheese wedding cake , or wedding cheese selection , the same principles apply ; focus on contrasting yet complementing styles , so a hard , a blue and a soft is a great starting point , plus consider how they work together visually . Layer in cheeses that you both enjoy ( while excluding ones you don ’ t like ) but try to avoid anything too pungent , sticky or strong , that might not appeal to a large number of your guests . Finally , in terms of dietary requirements , as appropriate , you might want to reflect vegetarian and / or pasteurised cheeses in your selection .
WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN IT COMES TO DISPLAYING MY WEDDING CHEESES ? A cheese wedding cake will of course beautifully display your chosen , tiered selection of cheese styles . For wedding cheese selections , you can either display your cheeses as large wedges and whole cheeses for high impact , or alternatively a grazing table approach could be taken .
In terms of serving your cake , or whole cheeses and large wedges from a cheese selection , we would recommend these be portioned down to smaller sizes to make serving easier , either plated to individual portions for serving by your venue or smaller wedges which are easier to work with if your guests will be serving themselves . Finally , do remember to ask for a portion to be cut and put aside for yourselves , just in case you don ’ t get to enjoy it on the day !
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE CHEESES THAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER , ESPECIALLY FOR WEDDINGS ? Both local Kent cheeses Winterdale Shaw ‘ Cheddar ’ and Kentish Blue are firm favourites , working well within a wedding cake , plus also tick two of the hard , soft and blue key cheese types . Outside of Kent , Lord London , from East Sussex , looks brilliant both on top of a cake and in a cheese selection , Cornish Yarg is a visual showstopper and is easy eating , while large Brie wheels , either a classic French Brie de Meaux , or the brilliant Baron Bigod from Suffolk work really well , either as a cake base ( using a cake tier stand to support the weight of other cheeses on top ) or as centrepiece to a cheese selection . After all , who can resist a nice piece of Brie !
WHAT ARE THE TRENDS IN WEDDING CHEESES THAT YOU ARE SEEING AT THE MOMENT AND PREDICT TO SEE OVER THE COMING YEAR ? We are definitely seeing an increase in couples going for a cheese wedding cake on its own rather than doubling up with a traditional cake , plus choices of individual cheeses are a little more adventurous , driven possibly by more awareness of the local , and national , artisan cheese industry , and , I think , by a desire for the couples to choose cheeses that are special or meaningful to them , rather than cheeses they just feel they should be using . Finally , I think less will continue to be more when it comes to displaying cheese . All cheeses are naturally imperfect , and not uniform , with so much to enjoy from lopsided edges , rinds with stunning colours and effects , plus of course the varied textures of the cut cheese itself , that only limited , if any , additional decoration is really needed ; allow the cheese to shine !
www . thecheeseshoptw . co . uk
AUTUMN 2023 | AKENTISHCEREMONY . COM | 107