insideKENT Magazine Issue 89 - August 2019 | Page 68
WEDDINGS
SAY CHEESE…
IT’S YOUR BIG DAY!
WITH OVER 200 CHEESES AT THEIR DISPOSAL, THE TEAM AT MACKNADE FINE FOODS
KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT CRAFTING THE PERFECT CELEBRATION CHEESE CAKE.
THE EXTENSIVE CHEESE COUNTER IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THIS SPRAWLING 10,000-
SQFT FOOD HALL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF FAVERSHAM, WHICH THIS YEAR CELEBRATES
40 YEARS OF RETAILING.
From classic farmhouse cheddars to award-winning
local cheeses, there really is something for everyone
and the possibilities are endless. Cakes can be
designed to any budget or number of guests and
the experienced team will work with you to make it
truly unique. With the rest of the food hall at your
fingertips, you can also select all the accompaniments
you need including biscuits, chutneys and fruit. The
shop is bursting with beautiful produce, so it would
be rude not to take advantage!
Creating the perfect cheese cake is however no easy
task. It is crucial to get the balance of cheeses just
right, thinking carefully about the different types,
flavours and textures. Above all, there needs to be
no chance of collapse… so a soft oozy brie on the
base is a definite no-no.
This is just a sprinkling of the advice given by the
staff at Macknade, who are highly knowledgeable
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and actively encourage you to taste and discover a
variety of unusual cheeses from Kent and afar. These,
paired with old favourites like Stilton, are often the
foundations of the very best cakes.
Neil Armstrong, delicatessen manager at Macknade,
is a self-confessed cheese lover and this year gets
married himself. Here he recommends his perfect
cheese cake:
Base tier – half Cornish yarg and
half ashmore.
One hard and one semi-hard cheese. The yarg is
mild and creamy, while the ashmore (made locally
in Dargate) is medium in strength and aged for nine
months. A great balance!
Second tier – Baron Bigod Brie.
The UK’s only unpasteurised Brie. Slightly chalky
in the middle with a cheddar-like aftertaste.
Third tier – Kentish blue.
Another local favourite made in Staplehurt. A classic,
creamy blue.
Fourth tier – crème de chevre
It’s over to Switzerland for this tier. Soft, runny and
made from goat’s milk.
Top heart-shaped tier – coeur de Neufchâtel
The finishing touch. This heart-shaped cheese from
France is similar to Camembert, but a little richer.
To arrange a personalised tasting session with one
of Macknade’s delicatessen team, please call 01795
534497, or email [email protected]. All cheese
cake orders benefit from a 10 per cent discount.