Be Our Guest – Winner’s Review

Winner Christine Gale from Ilkley chose to spend her £30 at Wharfedale Fine Cheeses on Church Street.

When did you visit?
I went on Saturday 16th May.

What were your first impressions?
It’s a really lovely, large space. You wouldn’t guess from the outside how far back it goes. It feels clean and airy inside. The shop hasn’t been open very long, and Jeremy, the owner, mentioned he’s still working on his window display.

What did you think of the produce?
He has a great range of cheeses. I think I counted 25 in the fridge alone, all 100% British, with most from Yorkshire. I also liked the complementary products he stocks, like crackers, sauces, and jams.

It’s great news that Ilkley now has a dedicated independent cheese shop. There used to be one on Brook Street ages ago, which was really successful, but when the station was redeveloped it relocated and eventually closed. The town has been missing one ever since. And since I love cheese, it’s fantastic to be able to buy it from an independent business now.

What did you buy?
I picked up six very different cheeses. There was a hard goats’ cheese, a cheddar, a black rind cheese with a creamy, buttery texture, a soft smoked cheese, and a beautifully smoked cheddar that was really unusual.

The timing was perfect because it was my mum’s birthday the next day and we were having a family get-together. I took the cheese to the party and everyone loved it. Needless to say, it disappeared really quickly.

How was the service?
Jeremy was very helpful. I had an idea of what I wanted, but he made lots of suggestions and helped me choose some unusual cheeses I wouldn’t have picked on my own. He also knows all about the suppliers, which is reassuring. It’s nice to know exactly where the cheeses come from.

Is it value for money?
Yes, absolutely. There’s a huge range of cheeses. You might pay a little extra, but if you enjoy good cheese, it’s well worth it. I’ll definitely be going back.