‘The perfect cheese board is formed of four cheeses: a hard, a soft, a blue, and a goat’s. You can determine the cheeses by country; if you want a British board, for example, I would recommend Isle of Mull cheddar, Tunworth soft cheese, Colston Bassett blue and Dorstone goat’s cheese. As a general rule, I would recommend 25g of each cheese per person, and would pair it with an English quince cheese or membrillo, with some grapes for a bit of added freshness. The Fortnum’s Caramelised Red Onion Marmalade also makes a lovely addition to the board, as well as the All Butter Crackers that we have recently launched.’ Katie Joseph, fresh food and deli buyer at Fortnum & Mason.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hard cheeses such as cheddar and parmesan can keep unopened for up to four months in the fridge. Be prepared ahead of time and stock up early.

Visit The Royal Exchange Fortnum & Mason boutique to discover food and drink groceries and gifts that are sure to enhance your festive celebrations.