To Settle to join the celebrations marking the opening of The Courtyard Dairy, cheese maturer Andy Swinscoe’s fabulous shop. Originally from Appleby-in-Westmorland, Andy learned his trade in France under the watchful eye of Herve Mons, widely regarded as one of the finest cheese affineurs (maturers) in the world.
Cutting the ribbon and singing praises was the elegant and rather beautiful Duchess of Northumberland, and we all tucked into raclette (hot off the grill and served up with a side of spiky pickle by Andy’s dad) and grazed on a stonking goats cheese, Dorstone Hall made by Charlie Westhead at the Neal’s Yard Creamery in Herefordshire, tangy Dale End cheddar, smooth and toothsome Bleu des Causses and my fave, a mellow camembert-alike, Tunworth from Hampshire. All accompanied by Leeds-made crackers!
Produce from all over the country and parts of Europe (not just cheese, there’s a small but interesting range of charcuterie too) is available online. But we’d urge you to visit, the shop is terrific, and there’s nothing like the smell of a good cheese to get the juices flowing ..