It’s that time of year again; a time for afternoons in the sun with laughter spilling out of every room in the house. As a guest, this is a magnificent time, but as the host it can seem daunting to plan meals and keep your guests entertained all while offering a unique and memorable experience.
When we came across Checkers’ Cheese World with many award-winning cheeses, we knew two things for sure: 1. This is definitely the way to elevate your next meal and 2. The adventurous whisky and cheese pairings put forth by Checkers make for the ultimate combination when entertaining this season.
Here’s how to impress your guests with your next cheese extravaganza, even if you’re new to it all
Familiar is Your Friend
Start your guests off with familiar tastes and textures like mature Cheddar and hard cheese – Checkers calls these their kitchen classics and they have an extensive range, which means your guests will be easily satisfied.
Ready For More Adventure?
Then, kick it up a notch with creamy Brie and soft cheeses before indulging in unique flavours, which include pesto-flavoured Gouda, Gouda with mustard and so many more in-store. With more than 400 cheeses to choose from and a dinner or cocktail party to plan, there simply is no time for confusion –Checkers has thought of it all.
Your Cheese Cheat Sheet
Checkers has simplified it by curating your perfect cheese experience and made it even easier for you to put together your next delicious cheese platter and whip up the best cheese-inspired recipes (all of which you can conveniently find on their website). By now you know what you want your cheese experience to include, correct? If not, try incorporating preserves, figs and/or fruit with savoury items, a balance of crunch with some nuts and a selection of crackers or thinly sliced baguettes to accompany your selection of cheeses.
Elevate The Taste Experience
We know that few things compare to a beautiful presentation, but if your goal is to take your guests on a new sensory experience, then follow Checkers’ suggestions and go according to taste and flavour. Give your dish or platter a touch of elegance with rich, buttery flavours or choose from a complex and powerful selection to give a big impact to your culinary creations – trust us, your guests will love every mouthful.
There’s More to Cheese Pairing Than Wine
Just when you thought it couldn’t possibly get any better, consider whisky and cheese pairings. After taking a closer look at Checkers’ extraordinary LiquorShop malts, we’re in! When you pair Loch Lomond Original Single Malt Scotch Whisky with Clawson Blue Stilton cheese, the smooth, sweet and nutty whisky complements the strong taste of this traditional Stilton very well. Or treat your taste buds to Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky and Heidi Emmentaler Swiss cheese – you and your guests will be pleasantly surprised at how the slight acidity in the cheese enhances the sweetness in the whisky. Discover more of these adventurous pairing options at your nearest Checkers store and you’ll soon discover why there’s more to cheese pairing than wine.
Explore the Checkers Cheese World online here and be sure to get in-store to experience their decadent cheese and finest whisky options!
Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
