AFTER months of lockdowns, and with the gradual reopening of pubs, cafes and restaurants, we can now look forward to enjoying eating out.

But it is also a chance to look back at how we all spent our time and for many it seems that Cheese On Toast was an important part of our lockdown lives!.

According to the trade magazine, The Grocer, home consumption of cheese rose by 48 per cent last year while another recent survey showed that Cheese on Toast was the snack choice for many during lockdown.

In honour of this lockdown saviour, the family-owned Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company – the only cheddar cheese maker actually based in Cheddar – shares how to create the ultimate “Cheddar Gorge Cheese’” on Toast.

The most traditional and easily grilled cheese is usually cheddar cheese., and it is the flavour and texture that is key. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company therefore shares their top three cheddars to create the cheesiest of dishes, all traditionally produced in its natural birthplace.

The top three – Vintage Cheddar,  between 24 and 28 months old, award winning authentic cheddar, good melting qualities with a distinctive strong flavour, hard in texture and perfect for grating; Mellow Cheddar, gold medal winner at the 2019 Global Cheese Awards, the youngest of company’s cheeses, plenty of character, but the creamier texture results in a more runny ‘grilled’ finished product; Cheddar with Tomato & Red Onion , a good choice if you are looking for added flavour or to turn it into Welsh Rarebit, tasty but mellow, delicious grilled on a slice of toast.

John and Katherine Spencer have been making traditional cheddar cheese in Cheddar, the birthplace of this world-famous cheese, since 2003. Using only fresh local unpasteurised milk, they preserve the original character of its namesake. They have won many awards for their cheese and were particularly pleased when their Vintage Cheddar was highly commended by Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing.

Their shop and cheese tasting bar in Cheddar Gorge is officially open again. For more information, visit: www.cheddaronline.co.uk