Love Cheese, York

A trip to Love Cheese is an absolute must for cheese fans exploring York. This little shop on Gillygate boasts a huge array of continental, British and Yorkshire-made cheeses, all of which are handpicked by its expert staff. During the lockdowns of 2020, Love Cheese’s brilliant virtual tastings brought joy to cheese aficionados across the country. These continue, both online and in the ‘Speakcheesy’ – the shop’s cosy dining space. Upcoming virtual events include a tasting of American wines, a celebration of ewe’s milk cheeses and a night of cheese, chocolate and wine with York Cocoa Works. Each tasting includes five cheeses which are accompanied by the same number of wines, beers or ports. These are delivered to your door ready for you to be guided through them live on Facebook. One of the shop’s in-person private tastings would also make a great stag or hen party activity. Alternatively, if you just fancy a casual drink, Love Cheese has a secret garden where you can relax with a glass of wine and a cheese toastie or freshly baked pizza on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Roberts & Speight, Beverley

This family-run shop in the market town of Beverley specialises in wines, beers and spirits but also has a well-stocked deli where you can pick up all kinds of tasty goodies to take home with you. Here, you’ll discover cheeses from all around the world, such as Norwegian Gjetost, French Fourme D’Ambert, Spanish Manchego and Italian Taleggio. Among the British offerings are Yorkshire Blue, Cornish Yarg, Northumberland Coquetdale and the Shorrock Lancashire Bomb. Roberts & Speight also offers relishes, olives and Lottie Shaw’s savoury biscuits to add to your cheeseboard. The shop hosts regular tastings and on the 27th July you can meet Morgan McDermott from Spirit Of Yorkshire and learn how Filey Bay whisky is created at their distillery on the Yorkshire coast. You’ll be able to sample six whiskies in different styles while enjoying plates of food that have been chosen to perfectly compliment them.

Kelham Kitchen and Wine Bar, Sheffield

Situated in Kelham Island, one of Sheffield’s most exciting upcoming areas, this modern restaurant offers a sophisticated meal out whether you’re tucking into a hearty Sunday lunch or grazing with drinks. Kelham Kitchen and Wine Bar serves a wide range of wines, cocktails, craft beers and spirits and has a large outdoor terrace that’s perfect for socialising on hotter evenings. Here, you can share a cheese and charcuterie board, which features Barncliffe Brie, Barbers 1833 Vintage Cheddar and Fourme d’Ambert, along with a selection of iberico and cured meats, tomato chutney, marinated olives, ciabatta and flatbread crackers. Meatless and vegetarian boards are available too, and Kelham Kitchen can help if you’re planning a luxury picnic or a celebration at home. You can order a sharing box filled with yummy cheeses, cured meats, hummus, crackers, veg and grapes to either collect or have delivered straight to your door.

Friends of Ham, Leeds

Known for its mouthwatering charcuterie, Friends of Ham was founded in 2012 and now has restaurants in both Leeds and Ilkley. You can build your own bespoke platter here by choosing up to four different meats or cheeses, which will be served to you on a rustic board with sourdough from the Leeds Bread Co-Op. The cheese options change with the seasons and have previously included ‘tangy and punchy’ Old Winchester, Baron Bigod Brie, Ashlynn Goat’s Cheese and ‘buttery and fluffy’ Kirkhams Lancashire. Friends of Ham in Leeds also offers tutored tastings with its very own beer and wine geeks, along with live music and a range of other special events that are held in their restaurant on New Station Street. This inviting space has a basement with a weekend cocktail bar, where you can sample natural wines as well as FRAM’s own wonderful cocktails. 

Images- @friendsofham, @lovecheeseyork, @jorvine_of_fulford