THE CHEESEMONGERS

DUCK BREASTS WITH ORANGE & PARSLEY

the recipient was unsure of how to cook this dish properly so searched for instructions online... all of which implied it should be cooked dry, then the sauce added.. but as it came in sauce, he struggled with cooking it properly and the inside was cold.

He is not a fussy eater though and sa...

1 x London Cure Smoked Scottish Salmon - Hand sliced - 900g Serves 12-14

I have not tried, these are the ratings from the recipients.

Overall, the recepients commented: "the food and hamper were stupendous!"

1 x Mazarin aux Noix - Serves 12-16

A little strange this one. The chocolate sponge and ganache and the marzipan walnut decoration is great however the walnut cream has a slightly unusual taste. However this does change if you serve with cream.

Worth trying but I would not purchase again. I'll try a different one next time

1 x Genuine Wild Smoked Scottish Salmon - Hand sliced - 400g Serves 4-6

This was a gift for my business partner and she had always wanted this and she was delighted and so it was definately worth it.

1 x Petit Fours - 16 pieces

they were ok, again not what i would call value for the price and when they arrived they were all over the box and had fallen out of the little cases.

1 x Emmett's of Peasenhall Bacon - Emmett's Suffolk Black Streaky Bacon 250g

To quote Craig Revel-Horwood (Strictly Come Dancing), this was FAB - U - LOUS!!!!! We will definitely order again.

1 x Ballotine of Turkey - 1KG - Serves 6

Absolutely delicious! It was smaller (in diameter) than I had imagined but it was easy to serve and a treat to eat!

1 x Pugh's Porchetta - Christmas Porchetta - 2.25kg Serves 10-12

Sadly, I failed to get the Porchetta to crackle successfully which was a little disappointing. The outside skin only burned. More advice on what to do with the meat when it first arrived, and more detailed cooking instructions would be most welcome. The flavour & texture however were still e...

4 x H. Forman & Son Smoked Swordfish - 200g Serves 2-3

The swordfish was so delicious, we loved every mouthful. Our friends had never tried it before but it was a big hit and nothing was left for a next day snack!

2 x Dittys Traditional Oatcakes - Dittys Traditional Oatcakes

always a treat to look forward to!

1 x Marinated Goat's Cheese - 10 balls

First time I ordered this I thought it was amazing. Subsequent orders have been good, but the rosemary has not come through in the same way in the cheese.

1 x Herdwick Lamb - Whole leg of Herdwick Lamb 2kg Serves 6-8

The lamb I think may have suffered a bit from its travels, but it was still fine. It looked like the vacuum packing had given way a bit and it had leaked.

STAVERTON EWE MARMALADE

Very good for marmalade afficianados

ALDERTON HAM SLICED 500G

Did not seem quite as good as before

PRAWN COCKTAIL 350G

Definitely superior to the best supermarket version

SALMON AND LOBSTER FISHCAKES X 2

Simply the best

ASSORTED INDIVIDUAL TARTLETS (4) POPINA

Seemed a bit drier than usual

DUCK BREASTS WITH ORANGE & PARSLEY

Very good indeed

PURE BEEF BURGERS X 2 (1 TRAY)

Do not normally eat beef burgers but these would convert us

1 x Free Range Geese Seldom Seen Farm - 5.5-6KG Serves 8-10 Delivered Fresh 21st-23rd December

I have had Geese from farms all over the country and from very very smart butchers in London but this one was the best. Because of the large size of the box I kept it outside until Christmas Day and it was fresh and dry for the day - delicious!

ALDERTON HAM SLICED 500G

The best ham ever. Again, I have tried hams from other good catalogues, like Dukeshill and I find this is the best I have ever tasted.

GAME PIE WITH CRANBERRIES AND ROSEMARY 500G

Not quite of the standard of the large game pie produced but certainly very tasty and a welcome addition to the list.

1 x Alderton Ham - Half ham on bone - min 2.75kg Serves 15

We've had one of these hams for many years now, and it's been excellent every time. My (now grown-up) children look forward to it every year.

1 x Kit's Pickled Shallots - 480g

just as my grandmother made them!!

1 x Salmon Brochettes in Beer Batter - 3 x 100g Serves 2-3

need longer cooking instructions than printed

1 x Buckwheat Blini & Smoked Salmon Kit and Caboodle - 18 canapes

Bilini were much better once warmed up - these intructions were not on the packet (maybe I should just have known that?)

1 x Beef Wellington - 2 X 150g portions

short best before date

1 x Fresh Foie Gras de Canard - 250g

Smooth rich and creamy - melt in the mouth as a good Foie Gras should be!

1 x H. Forman & Son Dressed Crab - 2 Crabs Serves 2

Delicious

1 x Quail Stuffed With Foie Gras - 1 Quail Serves 2-4

As Above

LC SMOKED HALIBUT 200G

Gorgeous, simply lovely.

1 x H Forman And Son Finest Caviar - Oscietra - 50g

The ham was acclaimed "best ever". Truly savoury and succulent.
The caviar was in good shape when it arrived and I stored it outside in the snow until Christmas morning breakfast !

The pig was christened "Colin" and was adopted as a special member of the family. He was ser...

1 x Christmas Pudding by Forman & Field - 113g - serves 1

have they changed the recipe because it seemed and bit over fancy from the past. Again personal preference- there are many Xmas puds with everything but the kitchen sink put in - I used to like the fact it reminded me of proper old fashioned stout and standard dried fruit puds. Sometimes less is ...

1 x Wild Boar Salami - Serves 3-5 / 100g

only good because it wasn't quite to my tastes and wasn't particularly exceptional.

1 x H. Forman & Son Vintage Russian Royal Fillet - 400g Serves 4-6

Amazing product that does what it says on the 'tin' - buttery and a treat.

1 x Genuine Wild Smoked Scottish Salmon - Hand sliced side - 900g Serves 12-14

Attractively packaged, expertly sliced. Amongst the best smoked fish I've ever tasted. A real treat.

PLANTATION CHILLI AND CORIANDER JELLY

As Above

ALDERTON HAM SLICED 500G

As Above

LEMON & PISTACHIO CAKE

As Above

ROMY DUCK TERRINE

As Above

1 x Fricassee of Monkfish with Saffron & Cepes - 500g Serves 2-4

Delicious but thought the pieces of monkfish could be a little bigger.

1 x H. Forman & Son Wild Scottish Salmon Pate - 225g Serves 3-5

EXCELLENT PRODUCT. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE ORDERED IT.

1 x Free Range Geese Seldom Seen Farm - 4.5-5KG Serves 4-6 Delivered Fresh 21st-23rd December

I would probably order a bigger bird if I was doing goose again: the tast was lovely, but the carving was a real effort.

1 x Smoked Mackerel Pate - 225g Serves 3-5

Superb pate, rich and full of flavour but not to strong or smoky. Really delicious.

1 x Pugh's Porchetta - Traditional Porchetta - 2.25kg Serves 10-12

I cannot sing the praises of this Porchetta highly enough, it was absolutely delicious and definitely big enough to serve a large group generously.