The first stop when you hit the Wairarapa
Your first stop when you hit the Wairarapa has to be C'est Cheese, an artisan cheese shop with loads of gorgeous deli goods to delight your taste buds & scintillate your senses.
Just as you drive off the Rimutaka hill road, you'll see C'est Cheese in a quaint boutique set of shops at the south end of town, perfectly positioned on the left of Fitzherbert Street - a pit stop after coming "over the hill". Paul Broughton & his wares have fast become a local icon - his mission (as stated on the C'est Cheese facebook page) is:
Straight to the point & true to his word, Paul has managed to make the phrase "have you been to C'est Cheese?" a question often spoken around this region & always answered with a yes!
Paul invited the MV team over for a tasting recently, let's get down to business & share the experience.....
Just as you drive off the Rimutaka hill road, you'll see C'est Cheese in a quaint boutique set of shops at the south end of town, perfectly positioned on the left of Fitzherbert Street - a pit stop after coming "over the hill". Paul Broughton & his wares have fast become a local icon - his mission (as stated on the C'est Cheese facebook page) is:
"To promote New Zealand cheese and complementary products wherever possible".
Straight to the point & true to his word, Paul has managed to make the phrase "have you been to C'est Cheese?" a question often spoken around this region & always answered with a yes!
Paul invited the MV team over for a tasting recently, let's get down to business & share the experience.....
About C'est Cheese
Paul learnt the art of cheesemaking at the NZ Cheese school, located in Putaruru with well known "Over The Moon" cheese factory positioned next door & used for practical sessions. Completing the Artisan Cheese makers course here, Paul's been making cheese for 6 years now & is clearly comfortable with his craft. C'est Cheese was a vision carefully thought out, Paul looked around for a suitable spot, tempted to go to Martinborough but deciding on Featherston. Focusing on retail & commercial supply while he works on refining his processes for 2-3 specific cheeses he plans on bringing into the market at some stage in the future. "Washed rind is my favourite style", he tells us (is this a sign of what's to come? - we hope!).
Paul stocks a range of New Zealand & locally made cheeses along with deli goods to complement. The range is impressive to say the least, with well known artisan brands like Mahoe farmhouse aged edam (winner of international awards) Kingsmeade (multiple award winners), Whitestone (their windsor vintage NZ's best blue according to Paul), Meyer garlic & chive - aged for two years.......
Paul stocks a range of New Zealand & locally made cheeses along with deli goods to complement. The range is impressive to say the least, with well known artisan brands like Mahoe farmhouse aged edam (winner of international awards) Kingsmeade (multiple award winners), Whitestone (their windsor vintage NZ's best blue according to Paul), Meyer garlic & chive - aged for two years.......
Cheese tastings at C'est Cheese
The cheese tasting was incredible, Paul took us through a sample of all the above plus more...."Wakelin House" pate's, local olive oils, "Divinity" pomegranate balsamic reduction, "Fix & Fogg" smoke & fire peanut butter, "Marmalada" heritage orchard Tinui grapefruit marmalade with dark chocolate (perfect with croissants). The breads have been freshly baked by Martin the local village baker (just a few doors down), divine with the cheese & accompaniments. Popular Everest Cafe is just next door, with the quirky emporium "Mr Feathers Den" on the other side. This little spot in Featherston appealing & sought after, there's a definite hub going on here.
"Food is the highest & best use by tourists to Featherston", says Paul "they go to Martinborough for wineries, Greytown for antiques, the three towns complement each other". Cheese tastings at C'est Cheese are proving popular, wine tours of Martinborough, Zest Food Tours regularly visit. Locals, & tourists alike call in for supplies, as one local told us. "You see the farmers trucks parked at C'est Cheese on their way to functions, they call in grab a couple of boxes of crackers, a few cheeses & spreads....there's their plate!".
There's cheese supplied to multiple Martinborough venues, degustation meals, wedding cakes made from cheese are becoming popular also.
"Food is the highest & best use by tourists to Featherston", says Paul "they go to Martinborough for wineries, Greytown for antiques, the three towns complement each other". Cheese tastings at C'est Cheese are proving popular, wine tours of Martinborough, Zest Food Tours regularly visit. Locals, & tourists alike call in for supplies, as one local told us. "You see the farmers trucks parked at C'est Cheese on their way to functions, they call in grab a couple of boxes of crackers, a few cheeses & spreads....there's their plate!".
There's cheese supplied to multiple Martinborough venues, degustation meals, wedding cakes made from cheese are becoming popular also.
Where to from here!
Paul has vision by the bucketful, his plans for C'est Cheese are endless, there's a woodfired oven he's casually been building out the back, think pizzas! - More plans to expand the potential of this already humming shop. But it doesn't just all happen on site, Paul is involved in many projects around the Wairarapa & Wellington. C'est Cheese are working with Ruth Pretty, Coney wines & Schoc Chocolates from Greytown in the fantastic "Match bar" on Ilot Green, an event you don't want to miss.
This guy has loads of energy & drive , he's easy amicable & yes he knows his cheese, we're definitely going back for another visit soon.
For more on C'est Cheese CLICK HERE
This guy has loads of energy & drive , he's easy amicable & yes he knows his cheese, we're definitely going back for another visit soon.
For more on C'est Cheese CLICK HERE
Trish Higginson & Karina Hailwood
Creative Directors
Martinborough Village
"Let us show you the magic of our town"
Copyright MV 2015
enquiries to karina@martinborough-village.co.nz
Creative Directors
Martinborough Village
"Let us show you the magic of our town"
Copyright MV 2015
enquiries to karina@martinborough-village.co.nz
