British Cheese Weekender returns

The British Cheese Weekender returns next month with a programme of online masterclasses, cook-alongs, tutored tastings and virtual farm tours.

Taking place on 23-25 April, this year's festival will include chefs Simon Rogan and Tommy Banks, comedian and champion of British cheese Marcus Brigstocke and the Cheese Bar's Mathew Carver.

The event is organised by cheese writer Patrick McGuigan and Tracey Colley, Academy of Cheese director, and supported by the Guild of Fine Food and the Specialist Cheesemakers Association.

The second edition of the free online event will be held in honour of the British public who responded so enthusiastically to last year's rallying call to support small cheesemakers throughout the lockdown. After artisan cheesemakers lost up to 80% of their business overnight when the hospitality sector was closed down, the huge outpouring of public support has brought many of Britain's finest cheeses back from the brink.

As pubs and restaurants look set to fully reopen from 17 May, the British Cheese Weekender will call on people to show their support for cheesemakers when eating out, providing a much-needed boost for the hospitality industry in the process.

Virtual festivalgoers will be encouraged to buy plenty of cheese to get the full sensory experience and will be able to cook along with top chefs each night, as Rogan, Banks and Carver put cheese centre stage in their dishes.

Colley said: "We are thrilled to be bringing back the British Cheese Weekender for a celebration of our highly skilled British cheesemakers and as way of saying thank you to all who have kept buying British cheese throughout 2020. There will be a vast array of virtual events showcasing the diversity of cheese, delivered by our experts, so we invite any cheese fan to tune in and taste along."

For full information visit www.britishcheeseweekender.com

Photo: Opies