The cheeses that I love: Tom Brady

As part of our series, which sees cheesemongers and cheese specialists across the UK unveil the cheeses they love to eat most, Speciality Food chats to Tom Brady of Star Plain Stores in Holt where customers can buy cheese to take home, or enjoy their favourites in the informal cafe setting.

1. St Maure De Touraine

I’m a massive goats’ cheese fan, St Maure I love as it’s powerful, delicate, chalky but gooey all in one. I love finely slicing this cheese, pretending I’ll eat it slowly and save some, but ultimately finishing it in one go.

2. Ogleshield, Montgomery’s

I love the savoury flavour, the versatility, and how different this is to Montgomery’s Cheddar. We use this in our bestselling ‘The Quenby’ toastie alongside Serrano ham and Single Variety Co’s chilli jam.

3. Monte Enebro, Rafael and Paloma Baez

I enjoy the powerful peppery rind, and how it contrasts to the delicate centre. I’m happy to let this cheese go extremely mature to the point it almost hurts my throat to eat it. Not for everyone, but in its normal maturity customers will always go looking for it in the deli if we’ve served in the cafe. 

4. St Jude, St Jude Cheese

A great one cheese dinner hit. It packs a lot of flavour in the small package. I love eating this with the sweet original Gavino biscuits we buy from Brindisa.

5. Durrus, Durrus Cheese

This has to be a well-aged version, I love the buttery but slightly sour taste, and eating this with Andre Scherer Riesling Reserve we source via Les Caves, with its pear notes and medium strength. A great combination.

6. Cote Hill Blue, Cote Hill

I spotted this cheese walking through The Courtyard Dairy’s door on a busman’s holiday before Christmas 2022 on a weekend away. I immediately asked if we could add it to our Christmas order. I love how ugly and angry this cheese looks. It’s supremely gooey and creamy, with hits of Roquefort. It’s enjoyable for lots of reasons. Customers love Cote Hill Blue – it sells itself -  and The Courtyard Dairy version arrives ready to eat. The creaminess pairs really well with St John’s Cremant. 

7. Burrata

I absolutely love this. I’ll boringly order it whenever I see it on the menu, but what’s not to love? We offer a dish of Burrata in our cafe, with roasted red peppers marinated in garlic and Brindisa’s North and South EVOO, laid on top of a pine nut Parmesan cress pesto on buttered crispy sourdough. It’s such a treat I could eat it every day. 

8. Parmigiano Reggiano

This is such a versatile cheese that can be the essential flavour in pesto, finish off a classic Italian dish and be used for so many things. My favourite way to eat it is dipped in honey…especially hot honey. I love eating this with a Barolo. An absolute feast for the tastebuds.

9. Finn, Neal’s Yard Creamery

We’ve stocked this since we first opened. I absolutely love the strength this relatively small package delivers. I always describe it as an indulgent cheese to customers, and it’s one of the few cheeses I struggle to eat in one go due to how rich it cheese is. Definitely a cheese to savour and slowly enjoy. I’d recommend eating this cheese alongside a Champagne. 

10. Riseley, Village Maid Cheese

A pungent, sticky and full flavoured cheese best served on its own. It’s a relatively small cheese, but small bites are perfect. Really bold and smoky, I love eating this whilst drinking Ampersands On the Wing hazy pale ale.

Are you a cheesemonger or specialist who’d like to feature in Cheeses that I love? Email charlotte.smith-jarvis@artichokehq.com