A key attraction amongst over 400 cheeses from some 100 British and Irish cheese makers that visitors are invited to try, taste and buy at next month’s Great British Cheese Festival is the presence of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association (SCA) – an alliance of cheesemakers, retailers and cheese lovers that encourage excellence in cheesemaking and help raise the profile of British cheese.
The Great British Cheese Festival returns to the splendid setting of Cardiff Castle on September 24 and 25 (tickets: 029 20 230 130 and www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk), and this year visitors have a greater opportunity to meet their makers with around 25 SCA members, such as J&E Montgomery, Stichelton, Two Hoots and FW Read and Sons, and award-winning cheeses such as Lincolnshire Poacher, Cornish Yarg and Barkham Blue.
James Montgomery of the SCA said:
The SCA stand is in Britain biggest cheese market alongside the many other cheese makers from across Britain. The festival also features a programme of over 20 inspirational master classes and demonstrations on the arts of the artisan cheese maker and the best way to eat the fine foodstuff that will seriously enhance your cheese knowledge.
Recognised as one of Frommer’s 300 Unmissable Events and Festivals Around the World, the event also features:
- Britain’s Biggest Cheese Market
- The True Taste of Wales Market with both traditional and new Welsh food and drink
- The Best of British Market for foodies everywhere
- The Cardiff Arms containing the best ales and ciders selected by CAMRA
- Entertainment on the Castle Green featuring the World Cheese Tossing Championships and Cheese Skittles!
Cardiff Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture said: “We work very closely with the Specialist Cheesemakers Association and this year there will be an even greater number of their artisan producers at the show, providing a very popular and tasty attraction for our many thousands of visitors.”
Also available, of course, are the medal winners from the British Cheese Awards taking place once again in Cardiff on the eve of the festival.
The location of the festival in the grounds of Cardiff Castle gives visitors the chance to explore its history and tour the Castle Apartments during the weekend, while enjoying everything the Welsh capital has to offer, from the bars and restaurants on the waterfront of Cardiff Bay to the iconic Wales Millennium Centre arts venue, and the magnificent St David’s Dewi Sant shopping centre, containing the largest John Lewis store outside London, plus Cardiff’s ornate Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades filled with specialist shops and boutiques.
For more information visit www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk
