Marketing the cheese virtually
Image: Quicke's letterbox taster selection
Switzerland Cheese Marketing and GastroSuisse have graduated the first class of cheese sommeliers in the country this week. This is very good news, as the more the retailers, restauranteurs and people who work in these establishments know about cheese, the better the market can be served. I have heard stories in the past about cheeses being refused as the staff didn’t know what they were looking at. As every cheese is someone’s livelihood, we can’t have that.
Here in the UK, the drive to educate consumers continues as well. For example, Quicke’s continues to offer Zoom events, and one landed in my inbox this weekend. The cheese maker is offering “a guided tasting from Jane Quicke of Quicke’s clothbound cheese, understanding its heritage, techniques and flavours. Jane will uncover the history of Quicke’s and share artisan techniques. This will be followed by a guided tasting of five of our delicious clothbound cheeses: Mature Cheddar, Oak Smoked Cheddar, Goat’s Milk Cheese, Double Devonshire Cheese and Elderflower Cheese.” Now, you don’t have to buy the Cheese Taster Letterbox selection box, but it certainly helps. That itself is a clever bit of marketing, getting a selection box through the post – but there is no need for anyone to be at home, as it fits through the mail slot.
I have to say, these Zoom events were one of the very good things to come out of the pandemic. For example, I still do a class with one of my fitness instructors online. I have never met her in person, but she is a helpful guide to me getting more fit. Also, the advent of free things on Eventbrite.
At the end of the day, this is about using the technology to improve the way consumers interact with the cheese makers. We don’t have to be anywhere near the source to enjoy the cheese.
For the Quicke’s tasting: quickes.co.uk
For the virtual tasting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-virtual-cheese-tasting-with-jane-quicke-tickets-274632963587?aff=ebdssbeac
P.S. – Just wanted to send congratulations to our saleswoman Samantha Bull who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this week, joining her older sister in the family Bull. We received lots of lovely photos of them all. What a great start to the week!
- Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
Keep in touch via email: [email protected]
Twitter: @dairyindustries or LinkedIn: Dairy Industries International magazine.
