Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Hello again cheese lovers.

 

Can’t talk long, as I mentioned last time, I’m up to my neck in it setting up the new Swaledale Cheese Shop. When I said to my son Sam that I needed some retail therapy this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. If you’re reading this kids, I’d be happy with some vouchers for Harvey Nich’s next time.

 

I’ve just got time to tell you some great news about the Yorkshire Show and no, unfortunately, it’s not that they’ve decided it’s going to be free entry from now on nor that they’re laying on a complimentary helicopter service so that you don’t have to sit in a boiling hot car for six hours just to get there. For us the news is even better than that; we were awarded two 2nd places, a 3rd place and a 4th place. We must be on a roll because there is also a whisper that we’re in line for something at the British Cheese Awards but everything is very hush, hush until the official announcement in September. Don’t worry, you know me, as soon as I know I’ll be shouting it from the rooftops.

 

We’re also exhibiting a little further afield than Harrogate and will be found in Ireland in early October at ‘Shop’ - an event run by the Guild of Fine Foods. If you’re visiting be sure to call by and see me and Louise and if you bump into us in town afterwards before 9pm mine’s a Black Velvet (and that will be the Champagne version and not the White Lighting version before you ask. . .I am the first lady of cheese after all.) Any time after that if you’d just be good enough to scoop me into a taxi and help me remember where I’m staying that would be much appreciated!

Posted by Mandy Reed at 09:25:21 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

The Cheese is Back

I know, I know, it’s been a little while since I last wrote but it’s been a crazy few weeks! After a considerable amount of hard graft, a number of late nights and, I’ll admit, the odd nerve settling brandy, we are now fully back up and running and our storage rooms are fully stocked with the entire range.



 

I’ve just been with Paul our lovely auditor (why is it all the good looking and well dressed ones are attached?!). . .he called in to tell me the news that not only did we pass our audit; we got an ‘A’ grade which officially makes us cheese swots! We know you’ll all be as pleased as we are that the attention we pay to producing the finest cheese has again been officially recognised and rubber- stamped. Paul was particularly pleased to see that all of our cheeses continue to be 100% natural -which he said was more than could be said for my tan. Cheeky bugger! It’s not like I’ve had time for a proper holiday and it doesn’t look like I’m going to get time either. Louise and Sam are already nagging me to take on board some of their innovative new cheese ideas including ‘Aphrocheesiac’ which is laced with champagne and oysters! Maybe one day? I’m struggling to source decent cranberries for our Christmas cheese let alone vintage Bollinger, apparently there’s some kind of world shortage and before anyone else asks, ‘no’, frozen cranberries will not ‘do’.

 

Well, I’d better get back to it - I’m now busy preparing for the grand opening of our new shop. . .look out for more news on that the next time!

 

Posted by Mandy Reed at 12:04:53 | Permalink | Comments (2)