The More Than Only Food & Drink campaign brought the richness and diversity of European cheeses to The Caterer Cheese Workshop, held on 20 October 2025 at Stow in Manchester. In partnership with The Caterer, one of the UK’s most influential hospitality publications, the event gathered 20 chefs, restaurant owners, managers, and food writers for a dynamic exploration of EU cheese excellence.
Showcasing Europe’s Cheese Craftsmanship
Led by celebrated cheese expert and More Than Only Food & Drink campaign advisor Patrick McGuigan, the workshop introduced attendees to the breadth of European cheese traditions, highlighting the importance of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Organic certifications. Patrick shared up-to-date insights on EU cheese production and exports, along with practical examples showing how chefs can incorporate European cheeses into menus - whether through innovative cheeseboards, signature dishes, or creative pairings.
An Interactive Tasting Experience
Across three tasting sessions, guests sampled 10 EU cheeses ranging from household favourites to “hidden heroes” from across the EU Member States. Varieties such as Manouri PDO from Greece, Cancoillotte PGI from France, Wrångebäcksost PDO from Sweden and Queso de Valdeón PGI from Spain, offered attendees a chance to discover new styles and flavours, while hands-on activities encouraged lively discussion and comparison.
The programme included:
A blind tasting challenge, testing participants on milk type, country, region, and cheese name;
A cheeseboard trends session, showcasing modern presentation styles and inventive accompaniments, from fruits and vegetables to cured meats and organic chocolate;
A cooking trends segment, featuring lesser-known cheeses suited for hot dishes;
A drink pairing activity, matching cheeses with sparkling wine, apple ice wine, beer, cider, and more.
The afternoon concluded with a relaxed networking reception, where guests enjoyed canapés created with cheeses from the workshop.
Strong Engagement and Positive Feedback
The workshop made a strong impact, with participants giving “Very Good” ratings across all categories and showing clear enthusiasm for the cheeses presented. Notably, 100% of attendees said they felt inspired to incorporate more EU cheeses into their business, all participants reported they are likely or very likely to increase their engagement with EU cheeses, and 80% said their perception of lesser-known varieties had significantly improved, recognising their quality and versatility.
Supporting the UK Hospitality Sector
This collaboration with The Caterer reinforces the campaign’s ongoing mission: to connect UK hospitality professionals with the exceptional quality, authenticity, and diversity of EU food and drink. Building on successful activations across the UK, the Cheese Workshop further highlighted the value of European products in helping chefs innovate, reduce waste, and offer memorable dining experiences.
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