British Cheese Week

British Cheese Week is a nationwide festival which is dedicated to promoting British cheese. So often European cheese gets all the attention. We might look forward to going abroad and sampling some creamy brie in Brittany, some Emmental in Alps, some Edam in Rotterdam, or some Pecorino in Padua. But what about a strapping slice of cheddar?

We’ve got some fantastic cheeses here in the UK, and it’s not all plain, hard cheese that cries out for a spreading of Branston’s Pickle. Cheese Week will be taking place from the 26th September - 4th October 2010, and will be celebrating the immense variety of chesses produced here in the UK. Over the course of the week, Britian will be encouraged to join in the celebration by swapping pudding for cheese.

Ben Skailes of the family run Cropwell Bishop Creamery, and an expert on British cheeses says:

"There are over 800 different cheeses made in the UK so anyone thinking of choosing cheese for British Cheese Week will be spoilt for choice. It couldn't be easier just stock up on some cheese biscuits, fruit and chutney and take a trip to the local deli or supermarket and there you go - less preparation, less washing up and so much flavour."

British Cheese Week will be the grand finale to a series of cheesy events in the preceding month. On the 9th of September the British Cheese Awards will be judged, and this will be followed by an awards dinner and a cheese festival in Cardiff. Cheese Week however will be a week for everyone, and all over the country, shops and producers will be promoting the very best of British cheese. Last year everyone from Aldi and Asda, to Waitrose and M&S, to little independent country delis rallied together to promote British Cheese, and this year looks to be just as widely supported. Find out more about British Cheese Week over the next few months on The Cheese Web, or look out for British cheese promotions in shops near you from the 26th of September.

Written by: Emily Boyd