Simply Original... Cheese Wedding cake anyone?

What is company name?

Northumberland Cheese Company

What is your line of business?

Artisan cheese makers

How and why the company begin?

Since 1984 Mark Robertson has been making farmhouse cheeses in the heart of Northumberland. The Northumberland Cheese story began in the Rede Valley, where Mark had a small flock of sheep from which he produced a ewe’s milk cheese; Redesdale. It was such a success with the locals that our range expanded to include fine cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses too, and the accolades began to pour in.

In 1996 we moved to a 19th Century granary on the Blagdon Estate, South Northumberland. Here we have the capabilities to marry traditional cheese making craftsmanship with modern best practices. Our knowledge and expertise in the cheese industry has led to a full range of 16 artisan cheeses including our newest innovation; Blagdon Blue.

We have been providing brides with alternative and bespoke cheese wedding towers since about 2010 when they first came in to fashion. We love this diversification as it is a great way to showcase our handcrafted cheese and they look great garnished with fruit and flowers.

Are you married? If so tell us a little about your wedding….

No but I’m sure there will be cheese everywhere when I do!

Why do brides come to you?

We offer such a unique product with a really friendly service. When brides first speak to us on the phone or email we invite them to book a wedding cake consultation. This is a chance to come out to the farm and see the cheese being made whilst sitting and having a coffee upstairs. We give you a chance to try all of our cheeses and advise on good combinations (cheese to suit all palates at the wedding party). The look on customer’s faces when we bring out an 8kg cheese is priceless; it really is a big wheel of cheese!

What is your favourite design and why?

It looks really good when you alternate between cellar ripened cheese and the flavoured cow’s cheese. E.g. a big Nettle cheese at the bottom so you can see the flecks of herb, then a Brinkburn goat’s cheese with its mouldy rustic surface, then a chilli with flecks of vibrant red and a truckle of Blagdon Blue on the top to complete the tower with a blue mould. It’s not just about having your favourite cheese; it has to look good too!

We have seen some great designs for the finished cheese cake. As we supply the cheese undressed it is up to the brides to get creative with how they decorate. Fresh fruit, flowers and ribbons all look really good. And don’t forget the personalised sugar mice on the top.

What is the most popular item you supply and why?

Our best-selling cheese is Nettle. It is a really creamy cow’s milk cheese blended with dried stinging Nettles. It is such an easy crowd pleaser most brides have a nettle cheese at some point in the tower!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Our main inspiration comes from our customers to be honest. We have some really unusual requests before that we would never think of ourselves but are always willing to be flexible and give anything a go. My favourites include making cheese in a heart shaped mould for one customer and also cellar ripening a Nettle cheese.

What is in store for you in 2013/14

Hopefully continue providing brides with bespoke cheese wedding cakes!

Who would be your dream client, and what sort of design would you envisage for them?

Wallace and Wendolene (of of Wallace and Gromit!)

What would be your top tips for brides when searching for a supplier in your industry?

I know we are biased but, it is much better to buy your cheese directly from the artisan producers or a local cheesemonger. Some supermarkets have started selling cheese cakes that are so generic; you don’t get any choice with sizes or cheese and they generally taste quite bland. When you come in to see us you can taste our range and chose the sizes. We make all of the cheese to your personal specification so it is truly unique.

Tell us something super interesting about you or your business that we wouldn’t already know…?

Did you know that in 2011 we made 40.8 tons of Northumberland Cheeses (the equivalent of about 7 elephants!) Pretty impressive as it is all handmade by our 2 cheesemakers.

Where are you based and where can you supply?

We are on the Blagdon Estate, South Northumberland (just 10miles North of Newcastle). We can supply the whole of main land UK and can also deliver your cheese directly to the hotel or wedding venue. www.northumberlandcheese.co.uk for more info!

How can I get in touch to discuss my requirements or place an order?

Please call if you would like to book a wedding consultancy to try our farmhouse cheese and discuss your wedding requirements. 01670 789 798 extension 1- ask for Heather or email heather@northumberland-cheese.co.uk. If you are too far away to pop in for a coffee please call for a phone consultation and we will sort something out for you.

Have a look at our wedding photos here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150165116545782.312790.176913035781&type=3

Why do you like to work with Simply Bows and Chair Covers?

They cover a great range of wedding products and unique accessories that we love to see and read about!