And so to the final knockings of the Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show, where I have spent the past few days in the deliciously named “Cheese Pavilion”, sampling over 200 international entries, alongside thousands from the UK.
As you will probably know, not only is cheese a wonderful source of protein and the calcium needed for healthy bones and teeth, but it can also encourage your brain to release dopamine, the hormone connected to feeling good. And, after a knob or two, it can also block out Donald Trump and Nigel Farage in one fell swoop.
To be fair, you are only supposed to take a little nibble, but I have been scoffing it down for England. Even top judge Chris Stilton (I kid you not) has been impressed by my technique, although Gordon Gorgonzola and Steve Brie did warn me…
But judging cheese, it turns out, involves rather more than taking huge a bite and deciding whether you fancy another.
Under the guidance of some very fine turophiles, I have been carefully studying the characteristics appropriate to each particular cheese – the body and texture of a hard cheese, the ripening and veining of a blue, the condition of the rind, its aroma, structure and, finally, flavour.
And I must admit I have had a ball…
Still the best is yet to come, as the Grand Auction of Champion Cheeses – one of Frome Show’s great traditions – is due to take place tomorrow.
It sees all the prize-winning cheeses go under the hammer in a lively public auction, giving visitors the chance to take home some of the very cheeses that impressed the judges and I hear they can sometimes be secured for remarkably good prices.
This year there’s an additional heavyweight attraction: a huge block of cheese weighing up to 20kg will also be auctioned.
The pressure is on for sure; with Ian “I’m skinnier than George Clooney these days but I still love my Fine Cheese Co deliveries” McCawley now officially joining the editorial team, we’re going to need plenty of fromage for him to finger…
Foxy has ditched X but is still on Instagram, just don’t get too excited as she’s never there
Be the first to comment on "A finger of fromage is never enough to give Foxy a treat"