The Olympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be joined next year by a new celebration of Stilton, the quintessentially British blue cheese.
The Stilton Cheese Makers’ Association has chosen 15-21 April for the inaugural event, which aims to raise the product’s profile among consumers and promote new eating occasions throughout the spring and summer for a cheese traditionally associated with Christmas.
Caterers are encouraged to support the week, which will involve a national media campaign, a new collection of seasonal recipes and events held with local schools and communities by the Stilton dairies.
“We’re encouraging the catering industry to celebrate National Stilton Week by introducing Stilton-inspired dishes onto their menus during 15 – 21 April 2012,” said Nigel White of the Stilton Cheese Makers’ Association. “This can be a soup, salad or savoury tart where Stilton plays a starring role or just simply adding it as a topping to popular dishes such as pizza or burgers.”
The week will be backed by a national media campaign and a new collection of seasonal recipes using Stilton (which can even be used in ice-creams) while the Stilton dairies will run events in local schools and communities.
Stilton has its own Certification Trade Mark and is an EU Protected Food Name that can only be produced in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.