Party like a cheesaholic

I love my readers. Just when I think I have nothing else to say about cheese (yeah, right) along comes a question. This one was from jolly old England. And the issue was “I’ve never done a cheese and wine party and I have posh foodie friends coming over for one—help!!”

Naturally, I have some thoughts on the subject:

• Aim for 5 or 6 cheeses. About 1 ounce (or 25 grams) of each cheese per person is a generous amount and will look great.
• Aim to have at least one goat, one sheep and one cow's milk cheese. They should be consumed in that order (mild to strong). End with a blue, always.
• Try to capture a few different cheese-making styles. I.e., one "fresh" or un-ripened; one bloomy rind (think camembert); one washed (think "stinky"); one hard pressed (think "mountain" cheese); one cheddar (why not, it's England), and finally one blue.
• Try to get a variety of countries represented. I would suggest you get at least one Spanish, one Swiss, one Italian and one French, and of course one British cheese (maybe one Irish and one English?). If you lived in the US I would insist you get an American cheese, but I have no idea if the good ones make it to the UK.

Lastly, dress up the whole affair with gorgeous accompaniments, fresh fruit, crusty bread and lots and lots of wine. You can make little nametags for the cheeses or even tasting notes. Or hire Waldemar and Nadia and really knock everyone’s socks off ;) Enjoy!

For cheese shops in the London, click here and scroll to the bottom of the list.

Comments

[Macdonald Highlands Las Vegas]

Maybe even make it a theme party, cheeses! And let people guess what kind of cheese you are dressing up as. That would be kind of fun. :)

[moncler doudoune]

once again. Even at one:30 PM, the streets were already crowded with households and visitors, and what were an even bigger amount of police. Additionally , it appeared like virtually everybody was donning a social affair hat, or even a group of 2011 fake eyeglasses, or some other sort of celebratory costume or adornment.

[Tana]

Nadia,

Maybe you would like to weigh in on the issue of "what constitutes artisanal [food product]."

http://smallfarms.typepad.com/small_farms/2006/10/weighing_in_on_.html

http://smallfarms.typepad.com/small_farms/2006/10/hands_in_the_cu.html

Let me know, and I'll link to your post. Thanks!

Tana Butler, new subscriber to your blog

[Rhea]

Great question and great answer. I love to give this kind of party. Your tips are helpful. Thanks!