Why/how I became a cheesemonger!

I started my business on a very small scale ( having two small children and no budget!).

I decided I wanted to research something I had always had an interest in - making goats cheese.

After talking to cheesemakers I realised that there was a huge gap in the publics knowledge of both modern and traditional British cheeses.

One thing lead to another and I decided I would get involved more in selling a small selection locally. I bought an old Citroen market van and slowly expanded my regular custom base and also the cheese selection.

If I wasn't available people would ring up and order cheese - which I delivered in a box with descriptions etc.

I realised that the important thing was giving people information, getting them personally involved with the product and making it accessable especially on a local level.

Cheese was the new "rock and roll"!

For personal reasons I left London with my children and headed to greener pastures with the cheese van.

Kent was not known as a cheesemaking county so typically this is where I headed!

I soon discovered a couple of producers starting out, Jane Bowyer of "Ashmore" and Robin Betts of "Winterdale" with both of whome I started working with to develop their marketing and an open network with existing British cheesemakers.

In July 2008I took the plunge to open a British Cheese shop in Whitstable, when the van alone could not contain the business and progress the awareness and demand for local cheeses .

The year has been great and we already have more Kent cheese makers and great demand for all our cheeses.

We mature each cheese to the right condition and treat each customer as a potential future expert and total convert!

I hope to see you in the shop soon!

Dawn
September 2009