Yesterday was a big occasion for the Harper clan…our gorgeous niece Ella was christened on Mothering Sunday. In a lovely church service during which all the children in the congregation handed posies to all the ladies (including a clucking Pam!) Ella was baptised without uttering a single scream. (Did you know that they warm the water prior to the service so that the babies don’t get too much of a shock? ….Yet another aspect of life about which I have a lot to learn.)
After the service we all went back to my brother and sister-in-law’s house for a fabulous lunch of beef bourguignon and a glass or two of the good stuff. One of my favourite aspects of a big family occasion like a Christening is that it brings together both sides of the family, often having not seen each other since the wedding. So yesterday it was great to see my sister-in-law’s family especially Emma’s mum who, upon tasting the cheese board we had provided, commented: “Well, there’s cheese….and then there’s cheese!”
This was due to the fact that we had some of the best cheeses in the world on display:
Montgomery Cheddar- a fabulous mature cheddar from Jamie Montgomery in Somerset. The king of cheddars, Montgomery’s is made by hand seven days a week to ensure the freshness of the milk and uses the same strains of starter culture first employed when the family started cheese making 70 years ago. It is also one of a small and exclusive list of British foods to be awarded Protection of Designated Origin (PDO) status.
Tunworth- This outstanding unpasteurised cows’ milk cheese was the Supreme Champion at the British Cheese Awards in 2006. It is a stonking camembert style cheese that the French would be proud to call there own.
Isle of Wight Blue- Do not sit down with this cheese on your own if you are hungry! This very special blue cheese is made by Rich Hodgson in Sandown on the Isle of Wight. Made with pasteurised Guerney cows’ milk, and is the creamiest blue I’ve ever had. Whatever you do, do not sit down with this cheese anywhere near a bottle of Montbazillac or Sauternes, or you may find yourself still there several hours later.
Colston Bassett Stilton- One of our true regional classics, Colston Bassett’s handmade Blue Stilton is strong in flavour yet remains smooth and creamy with distinctive blue veins which become more strongly defined as the cheese matures. Like Montgomery’s Cheddar, it is also one of a small and exclusive list of British foods to be awarded Protection of Designated Origin (PDO) status.
For your enjoyment, I have attached a photo. For a look at the rest of our cheeseboards, please click here
British Cheeseboard for Ella's Christening
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