Cheese has become an important part of Irish Christmas celebrations. Whether at the end of a meal or the centrepiece of a sharing platter, good cheese with tasty accompaniments will offer a plethora of flavors and textures to delight everyone.
A cheeseboard is quick and easy to prepare, making it hassle-free for Christmas.
Kevin Sheridan and Neven Maguire have selected their top 10 favourites for this Christmas from Simply Better’s remarkable range of the best of Irish farmhouse cheeses and European classics.
1 Simply Better Irish Farmhouse Templegall
An exceptional Irish farmhouse cheese made by the Hegarty family on their farm in Co Cork. It is long-aged and has a full-bodied flavour with fruity tones and a nutty finish.
2 Simply Better Austrian Organic Glockner-Taler
From the Austrian Alps, this aged cheese has a rich fruity flavor with hints of roasted nuts, and a firm but subtle texture.
3 Simply Better English Blue Stilton
Traditional English Stilton from Nottinghamshire, this cheese is mellow, sweet and buttery with a delicious tang and deep creamy texture.
4 Simply Better French Brillat Savarin
This indulgent triple cream cheese has a decadent sweet fresh taste. The texture is reminiscent of sumptuous clotted cream.
5 Simply Better Époisses
A cheese for cheese lovers with a deep and almost liquid paste that melts in the mouth with a delicious fragrant and pungent aroma.
6 Simply Better Oakwood Smoked Drinagh Cheddar
Made in west Cork, this smoked edition of the Drinagh cheddar brings a deep smoky flavor to the complex cheddar.
7 Simply Better French Ossau-Iraty
From the French Pyrenees, this sheep’s milk cheese is complex and flavoursome, yet delicate with a floral and nutty finish.
8 Simply Better Irish Farmhouse Killeen Goat’s Cheese with Fenugreek
From Co Galway, Killeen is a light, pleasant goats cheese. The sweet spice delivers an exciting twist.
9 Simply Better Irish Farmhouse Coolea Mature
Made in Co Cork, this long-aged, iconic Irish farmhouse cheese has an intense but very approachable flavour with overtones of caramelised butter.
10 Simply Better Spanish Manchego Curado
This Manchego has a mild, slightly acidic flavour, subtle notes of nuts and fresh hay.
How to select and serve
Simply Better cheeseboard, selected by Nevin Maguire and Kevin Sheridan. \Tony Gavin
“When selecting your cheeses, variety will make your offering more interesting and enjoyable. Mix soft and firm textures, mild and robust flavours, and try to include a goat’s or sheep’s milk cheese,” says Kevin.
“To enjoy the optimum flavour and texture of these exquisite cheeses, ensure that they are not too cold when you serve them. Take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving,” Neven adds.
For a larger group, Kevin likes to serve four or five cheeses on his board. “There is not a correct number of cheeses to serve, one beautiful cheese can be enough,” he adds.
“Don’t think of a cheeseboard just for after dinner, it can be an easy snack or small meal to enjoy when visitors pop over, or in the afternoon when watching a movie or playing a board game with the family. Add some salads and cold meats to make a satisfying meal.”
“Having a variety of accompaniments brings a cheeseboard to life and adds some fun when matching the flavours and textures,” says Kevin. “Try fresh fruits, nuts, chutneys and fruit jams. Don’t forget to have a variety of crackers, the crisp texture works so well with cheeses.”
Wexford Home Preserves
Tom and Laura Sinnott with their Simply Better range, Wexford Home Preserves range, the ingredients for which they source as locally as possible. \Mary Browne
A good cheeseboard is all about creating a sensory experience, and the variety of Simply Better chutneys and relishes produced by Wexford Home Preserves can help elevate every bite.
Based in New Ross, the family-run company has grown from selling homemade jams on the roadside in 1988 to supplying Dunnes Stores supermarkets nationwide.
In 2009, Laura and Tom Sinnott took over the business from Tom’s aunt Ellen O’Leary.
They have grown their range with Simply Better from jams and marmalades to developing a range of chutneys, sauces and relishes in 2015.
When the Simply Better team approached Wexford Home Preserves in 2012 to make jams and marmalades, owners Tom and Laura were initially hesitant.
“We were in a really small kitchen unit and we thought we would never be able to supply nationwide,” says Laura. “But the team said we’ll work with you. And so, we expanded.”
The business has grown but the focus remains the same: natural and local ingredients.
“Anything we can get our hands on, we get in Ireland,” says Laura. “Salt, apples, beetroot, fruit, onions, tomatoes, garlic. We even get chillis in Ireland,” she adds.
“It plays a huge part in the taste of the products.”
The caramelised red onion relish is made with onions grown in West Cork and the tomatoes for the Irish tomato chutney are grown by Tom and Laura’s neighbours in Wexford.
“They’re not even a mile away from us,” says Tom.
“We’re very choosy on our suppliers,” says Laura. “For the Seville orange marmalade, we use an organic supplier.” The Seville orange marmalade has won a Gold World Marmalade Award, and three stars in the Great Taste Awards two years in a row (2022 and 2023).
“It’s just a phenomenal product. The fruit is cut, all the pips are taken out by hand, we cut the fruit, we soak it
overnight in water to soften the peel, and then we cook it the next day. It’s a two-day process.”
Wexford Home Preserves use the orange marmalade to make their award-winning orange and honey ham glaze.
“We use the orange marmalade as a base and we add spices and honey and brown sugar. The orange really lifts it and the bits of peel on the ham are really lovely,” says Laura.
New Simply Better range
A selection of the Simply Better range made by Wexford Home Preserves. \Mary Browne
Wexford Home Preserves has a new range with Simply Better for Christmas 2024, which includes apple sauce, Cumberland sauce and mint sauce.
Adding new sauces to the range has been a collaborative process with Simply Better.
“Simply Better give us the opportunity to make what we think is right for us,” says Tom. “They’re very easy work with.
“We’re very proud to be part of Simply Better collection. It’s a really nice brand to be producing for,” smiles Laura.
The new range for 2024 also includes a handmade festive chutney.
“It’s a plum-based chutney,” says Laura. “It’s spiced and very festive and fruity. It’s lovely with cheeses.”
This chutney will sit alongside the nine other products that Wexford Home Preserves make exclusively for Simply Better in Dunnes Stores. The range includes bestsellers like apple and fig chutney, mango chutney, beetroot relish and Ploughman’s plum chutney.
Both Laura and Tom have their personal favourites.
“I love the red onion,” Laura says. “It just flies off the shelf and that’s a huge one for cheeseboards, especially at Christmas. The apple and fig chutney is also popular.”
“I really like the Irish tomato”, Tom adds.
“Tom has a jar open here all the time for his sandwiches,” Laura laughs. She recommends picking up two or three chutneys for the festive season.
“It elevates any cheeseboard,” adds Laura. “Or you could even pop the cranberry sauce on pre-made puff pastry sheets. Cut them up, add a bit of brie and cranberry sauce – gorgeous.”
Cheese has become an important part of Irish Christmas celebrations. Whether at the end of a meal or the centrepiece of a sharing platter, good cheese with tasty accompaniments will offer a plethora of flavors and textures to delight everyone.
A cheeseboard is quick and easy to prepare, making it hassle-free for Christmas.
Kevin Sheridan and Neven Maguire have selected their top 10 favourites for this Christmas from Simply Better’s remarkable range of the best of Irish farmhouse cheeses and European classics.
1 Simply Better Irish Farmhouse Templegall
An exceptional Irish farmhouse cheese made by the Hegarty family on their farm in Co Cork. It is long-aged and has a full-bodied flavour with fruity tones and a nutty finish.
2 Simply Better Austrian Organic Glockner-Taler
From the Austrian Alps, this aged cheese has a rich fruity flavor with hints of roasted nuts, and a firm but subtle texture.
3 Simply Better English Blue Stilton
Traditional English Stilton from Nottinghamshire, this cheese is mellow, sweet and buttery with a delicious tang and deep creamy texture.
4 Simply Better French Brillat Savarin
This indulgent triple cream cheese has a decadent sweet fresh taste. The texture is reminiscent of sumptuous clotted cream.
5 Simply Better Époisses
A cheese for cheese lovers with a deep and almost liquid paste that melts in the mouth with a delicious fragrant and pungent aroma.
6 Simply Better Oakwood Smoked Drinagh Cheddar
Made in west Cork, this smoked edition of the Drinagh cheddar brings a deep smoky flavor to the complex cheddar.
7 Simply Better French Ossau-Iraty
From the French Pyrenees, this sheep’s milk cheese is complex and flavoursome, yet delicate with a floral and nutty finish.
8 Simply Better Irish Farmhouse Killeen Goat’s Cheese with Fenugreek
From Co Galway, Killeen is a light, pleasant goats cheese. The sweet spice delivers an exciting twist.
9 Simply Better Irish Farmhouse Coolea Mature
Made in Co Cork, this long-aged, iconic Irish farmhouse cheese has an intense but very approachable flavour with overtones of caramelised butter.
10 Simply Better Spanish Manchego Curado
This Manchego has a mild, slightly acidic flavour, subtle notes of nuts and fresh hay.
How to select and serve
Simply Better cheeseboard, selected by Nevin Maguire and Kevin Sheridan. \Tony Gavin
“When selecting your cheeses, variety will make your offering more interesting and enjoyable. Mix soft and firm textures, mild and robust flavours, and try to include a goat’s or sheep’s milk cheese,” says Kevin.
“To enjoy the optimum flavour and texture of these exquisite cheeses, ensure that they are not too cold when you serve them. Take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving,” Neven adds.
For a larger group, Kevin likes to serve four or five cheeses on his board. “There is not a correct number of cheeses to serve, one beautiful cheese can be enough,” he adds.
“Don’t think of a cheeseboard just for after dinner, it can be an easy snack or small meal to enjoy when visitors pop over, or in the afternoon when watching a movie or playing a board game with the family. Add some salads and cold meats to make a satisfying meal.”
“Having a variety of accompaniments brings a cheeseboard to life and adds some fun when matching the flavours and textures,” says Kevin. “Try fresh fruits, nuts, chutneys and fruit jams. Don’t forget to have a variety of crackers, the crisp texture works so well with cheeses.”
Wexford Home Preserves
Tom and Laura Sinnott with their Simply Better range, Wexford Home Preserves range, the ingredients for which they source as locally as possible. \Mary Browne
A good cheeseboard is all about creating a sensory experience, and the variety of Simply Better chutneys and relishes produced by Wexford Home Preserves can help elevate every bite.
Based in New Ross, the family-run company has grown from selling homemade jams on the roadside in 1988 to supplying Dunnes Stores supermarkets nationwide.
In 2009, Laura and Tom Sinnott took over the business from Tom’s aunt Ellen O’Leary.
They have grown their range with Simply Better from jams and marmalades to developing a range of chutneys, sauces and relishes in 2015.
When the Simply Better team approached Wexford Home Preserves in 2012 to make jams and marmalades, owners Tom and Laura were initially hesitant.
“We were in a really small kitchen unit and we thought we would never be able to supply nationwide,” says Laura. “But the team said we’ll work with you. And so, we expanded.”
The business has grown but the focus remains the same: natural and local ingredients.
“Anything we can get our hands on, we get in Ireland,” says Laura. “Salt, apples, beetroot, fruit, onions, tomatoes, garlic. We even get chillis in Ireland,” she adds.
“It plays a huge part in the taste of the products.”
The caramelised red onion relish is made with onions grown in West Cork and the tomatoes for the Irish tomato chutney are grown by Tom and Laura’s neighbours in Wexford.
“They’re not even a mile away from us,” says Tom.
“We’re very choosy on our suppliers,” says Laura. “For the Seville orange marmalade, we use an organic supplier.” The Seville orange marmalade has won a Gold World Marmalade Award, and three stars in the Great Taste Awards two years in a row (2022 and 2023).
“It’s just a phenomenal product. The fruit is cut, all the pips are taken out by hand, we cut the fruit, we soak it
overnight in water to soften the peel, and then we cook it the next day. It’s a two-day process.”
Wexford Home Preserves use the orange marmalade to make their award-winning orange and honey ham glaze.
“We use the orange marmalade as a base and we add spices and honey and brown sugar. The orange really lifts it and the bits of peel on the ham are really lovely,” says Laura.
New Simply Better range
A selection of the Simply Better range made by Wexford Home Preserves. \Mary Browne
Wexford Home Preserves has a new range with Simply Better for Christmas 2024, which includes apple sauce, Cumberland sauce and mint sauce.
Adding new sauces to the range has been a collaborative process with Simply Better.
“Simply Better give us the opportunity to make what we think is right for us,” says Tom. “They’re very easy work with.
“We’re very proud to be part of Simply Better collection. It’s a really nice brand to be producing for,” smiles Laura.
The new range for 2024 also includes a handmade festive chutney.
“It’s a plum-based chutney,” says Laura. “It’s spiced and very festive and fruity. It’s lovely with cheeses.”
This chutney will sit alongside the nine other products that Wexford Home Preserves make exclusively for Simply Better in Dunnes Stores. The range includes bestsellers like apple and fig chutney, mango chutney, beetroot relish and Ploughman’s plum chutney.
Both Laura and Tom have their personal favourites.
“I love the red onion,” Laura says. “It just flies off the shelf and that’s a huge one for cheeseboards, especially at Christmas. The apple and fig chutney is also popular.”
“I really like the Irish tomato”, Tom adds.
“Tom has a jar open here all the time for his sandwiches,” Laura laughs. She recommends picking up two or three chutneys for the festive season.
“It elevates any cheeseboard,” adds Laura. “Or you could even pop the cranberry sauce on pre-made puff pastry sheets. Cut them up, add a bit of brie and cranberry sauce – gorgeous.”
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: