Cheese festival to transform London into a city of cheese in May

London Cheese Month, which is being organised by the festival’s founders, aims to focus the public’s attention on the world of British cheese, which has been rejuvenated in recent years by a new generation of artisan producers, cheesemongers and street food chefs.

The programme of events in May will feature the festival’s traders and include cheesemaking classes in Tottenham, beer and wine matching sessions, Stilton-grading in Bermondsey and free meet-the-cheesemaker days at London-based cheesemongers.

The month-long celebration of cheese will build up to the third London Cheese Project in the gardens of the Geffrye Museum, which will feature a line-up of the UK’s best cheesemakers, cheesemongers and street food chefs at the forefront of the British cheese renaissance.

Along with the opportunity to meet and buy directly from the most exciting names in artisan cheese, The London Cheese Project also offers one-off, limited edition cheeses, made especially for the festival.

Some of London’s favourite street food traders, who are committed to using artisan cheese, will also be joining the line-up this year, with Mother Flipper, Butchies and The Cheese Truck serving cheese-centric dishes.

Kristen Schnepp, cheesemaker and co-founder of the London Cheese Project said, “We set up the London Cheese Project to celebrate the diversity and creativity within the British cheese industry with the aim to persuade consumers of the benefits of buying artisan cheese.”

Other festival highlights include a full programme of free talks and tastings in the Peter’s Yard-sponsored live demo tent on topics such as urban cheesemaking with Gringa Dairy, cheese judging masterclasses and the art of cheddar with Quicke’s. In-depth ticketed tastings in the Culture Club by cheese writer Patrick McGuigan will explore how to push the boundaries of the cheeseboard.

Hero Hirsh, head of retail at Paxton & Whitfield said, “We’re thrilled to be taking part in this year’s festival not only over the weekend but also by hosting events at our flagship Jermyn Street shop. The London Cheese Project is a really engaging event that allows lovers of artisan cheese to meet cheesemakers, hear all about the world of cheese and have the opportunity to buy delicious cheeses. It’s a celebration of the cheese industry and one that we’re looking forward to supporting and participating in.”