From the best-ever toasted sandwich for breakfast in bed, an intimate chat over a French cheeseboard to a carefully-curated cheese gift box, cheese offers the ultimate treat whatever your budget.
To recreate the nostalgia of bringing Mum or your spouse breakfast in bed, put together a meltingly memorable cheese toastie using a mix of soft and grated hard cheeses to suit their tastes. Cheeses that are well suited to melting under heat include, Raclette, Vacherin Mont d'Or, Comté, Mimolette and Beaufort.
For a heart-warming lunch or supper, keep it simple but delicious with a box of Camembert de Normandie gently heated in the oven or air fryer. Add a few slithers of fresh garlic and some fresh herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, serve with fresh baguette and gherkins and share the gooey goodness.
To show your love for your mother or your spouse, melt their heart with a Neufchätel. A close cousin of Camembert, this cheese is made in the wetlands of Normandy, in the Pays de Bray to be exact. With its soft texture and bloomy rind, it can be moulded into hearts, squares or briquettes. The cheese paste is lightly salted, creamy and has a good milky taste.
For those who takes their food and wine seriously, put together a cheeseboard with wine pairings. Soft cheeses like Brie, Brillat Savarin and a lightly aged Saint-Marcellin taste even better served with Champagne.
According to the award-winning chef owner of Bouchon Racine Henry Harris, the powerful Époisses is delicious served with a White Burgundy such as a cellar-aged Montrachet or a Côtes Catalanes. Bring the tasting to a close by serving a Bleu d'Auvergne with a glass of Monbazillac or Sauternes. Matching the salty cheese with the sweet flavours of the wine bring out the best of each.
If your mother is too far away to visit this year, there are temptingly good French cheese inspired gifts available to purchase online for nationwide delivery. There are also fantastic books dedicated to celebrating all things cheese.
Finally, for the mother or spouse who loves discovery and travel, there are fantastic cheese tastings and masterclasses available around the UK, hosted by French cheese specialists. To take her passion to the next level there are even English speaking French tours that are dedicated to discovering the history and terroirs of cheese making.