It’s just the most wonderful time of the year…… as the song goes, but truly in the cheese world it is!
So, what is in store at the festive Chiswick Cheese Market?
Roll up Roll up for our fantastic give away – Come along to Market HQ and find out what’s on the Cheese Market team’s ‘ultimate’ cheeseboard – an eclectic mix of the market team’s favourites. Enter the free draw to win this amazing selection of 7 truly extraordinary cheeses. Now, that sounds like a Christmas treat!
A gift from The ‘Cheesewick’ team – as chefs and cookery writers we have put together some of our own recipes for easy bakes and makes to accompany your Christmas cheeses, so come and taste some special flavours on HQ chosen to pair with great cheeses and pick up a free recipe card so you can try some of these ideas at home.
We have a packed market and so much to choose from it be will difficult to know where to start. To make it easier for you our lovely traders have put together a list of their ‘must-buys’ that will simply ‘make’ your perfect cheesy Christmas.
Market Christmas ‘must buys’
Kevin at Vin a Gogo says you simply cannot do with out their fantastic gift bags and individual wooden wine boxes to wrap that perfect bottle in. Their ‘MUST BUY’ item is the non-alcoholic wine – It’s a great option to have on hand during the holidays for those that don’t drink.
Image: Vin a Gogo wooden wine box
It’s 100% Gamay wine grape juice that has had the yeast filtered out to stop fermentation. A little CO2 added for fizz and done – cheers!
Justin of No 2 Pound St says they are thrilled to be presenting a first at ‘Cheesewick’ – Ravensworth. Made at Holker Farm in Cumbria – strong smelling washed rind cheese with deep punchy flavours – this will be a perfect big Christmas hit married with a good French Cab Sav – sounds good to me!
Harley from Oxford Cheese suggests as his must-have for Christmas – College White with Truffles which is simply festively fabulous with an Alsatian Hock – slightly sweet white wine from Germany (Riesling). – loving this Christmassy vibe!
Lucia from le Maritxu suggests that her gloriously rich Basque Cheesecake is THE ULTIMATE sweet treat for friends and family over Christmas. If you have not tried this yet, then may we suggest that this is the market when you do. She says to make it even more perfect try a glass of Pedro Ximenez sherry alongside – Oh my! – now I’m feeling very indulgent!
Jesus from Los Origenes suggests that there is no easier pre-dinner treat than his Spanish ‘must-have’ – Torta del Casar – a wonderful Sheep’s cheese with a delectable soft interior.
Image: Torta del Casar
He says simply cut off the top, dip bread sticks (no need to heat) and savour its creamy, piquant flavour paired with Red Vermouth -or change it up and try it with a Negroni – ooooh, as a Negroni lover this I know this is for me.
Razan of Yorkshire Dama tells us that their must have Christmas treat is their gourmet Labneh pearls.
With a velvety texture and an intense flavour of chilli or za’atar they come preserved in olive oil (no need for refrigeration) and are just an outstanding addition to a Christmas sharing platter – ideal for when friends and family pop round – I’m going to check these out!
Matt at Lymington cheese suggests that the 500g Shorrock’s Lancashire bomber is THE must have for this Christmas. Matured for 24 months with a full rich flavour – simply cut off the top and pass it round for your Christmas guests to help themselves. It is the perfect pairing with Christmas cake – try before you buy and see what you think!
Image: Shorrock’s black bomber
Brenda from Daly bread has been busy and says her ‘must buy’ item is a Mince Tart. Made with orange zested sweet short pastry, her own blend of brandy soaked mince fruit and spice filling, topped with frangipane, toasted almond slices and an apricot glaze. She is selling these as a whole tart (or by the slice) on market day. Best eaten warm with a good helping of cream or brandy butter for extra richness.
Dan at Halepenos is bringing a very special limited-edition Mango Lime & Apricot Halopeño cheese – Wow! He says try it with chilled Prosecco as a festive treat.
Steff at Happy Place Provisions suggests her extra Christmassy limited edition Wattleseed and cinnamon crackers – bags of festive flavour – nutty, malty with a hint of honey. Try them dipped in melted Vacherin Mont d’Or for a fun festive gathering.
Welcoming Sarah from ‘Sawn by Sarah’ with her hand made wood and resin cheeseboards. What is there to say other than ‘everyone needs an extra special board to put their ultimate festive cheeses on’. I can feel some rather extraordinary gifts coming on?
Evelin from Sicilia Fredda is offering as their ‘must have’ their fabulous Christmas hampers which include so many goodies you’ll be bowled over but best of all it includes their recently harvested Master Taste extra virgin olive oil. That sounds like it might complete any Christmas shopping list.
Medhi at Gastromonica Market has suggested no Italian Christmas is complete without ‘Testun Al Castagno’. A truly wonderful strong flavoured cheese aged for two years in chestnut leaves.
Perfect with Christmas flavours, dried fruit and nuts – this is a perfect partner for all the traditional British Christmas spiced flavours – not tried it yet? it will simply blow you away and is indeed a firm favourite of Donna and Lucy of the market team.
Vincenzo who brings our very local La Latteria cheeses says Christmas Eve is done simply with Stracciatella or Burrata piled onto focaccia, touch of green pesto and sliced sammarzano tomatoes – sounds pretty perfect to me!
Fay at Big Wheel Cheese is stocked up with the superb Baron Bigod which she says is the ultimate Christmas cheese with chilled fizz. Sometimes pairing is not all about flavour as the creamy super rich texture of the brie married with the bubbles is something to be savoured.
And while you are shopping there is great hot cheese to be tasted with the very best toasties from Grate and Grill, hot mac’n’cheese, arancini from Sicilian Bros, Amuse bouche with the best galettes and not forgetting The Roebuck, our local pub, providing their usual fantastic raclette and this Sunday with lots and lots of warm mulled wine – what could be more Christmassy than that?
News alert – we are lucky that Tim is bringing his pizza bike from local, Base Face Pizza and what’s more he’ll be teaming up with our cheese mongers to create some extra special artisan cheese Christmas Pizzas.
Storm Darragh scuppered a lot of Artisan cheese shopping last weekend by shutting down many markets – the forecast is good for the 15th so join us at ‘Cheesewick’ and save your cheese shopping till then. We will have over 200 different cheeses for sale.
With live music, warming cheese and mulled wine to help with all that cheese tasting and shopping it is the perfect way to spend and Christmas Sunday.