There is nothing more civilized nor more pleasing to the eye than the sight of a well- chosen cheese board at a meal...whether that is a simple after lunch treat, a romantic repast for two, or a feast with friends. The key to enjoying your cheese board is simplicity and balance, as your aim should be to please the palate, not to impress the cheese snobs. The cheese board itself provides an earthy centre point for your table and can be the traditional wooden type, or a more contemporary marble slab or basket... It is the focus of good conversation as guests relax and share comments on the various cheese flavours, as well as jokes and anecdotes... You should select no more than 3-4 cheeses of varying maturity, taste and texture; a mild and a mature cheddar for example, but don't forget that a cheese board is a visual experience too, so your choice should include some shaped or coloured cheese. Allow for about a 50g portion per person, although if the occasion is accompanied by with wine or port, it is probably best to double this amount...wine and cheese is a true marriage of flavours. Once you have decided on your selection the cheese should be taken out of the fridge approximately an hour before serving, enabling it to breathe and reach room temperature, as this will help the aroma and flavour of the cheese to develop. Your cheese board may be served with an assortment of different breads from the soft and chewy to the wholemeal and crusty, as well as a variety of biscuits to enhance the taste. Fruit is also an excellent addition to create a savoury and sweet flavour balance and aside from grapes can also include slices of pear and apple, strawberries and even melon.

French President Charles de Gaulle was famously heard to say in a fit of exasperation, "How can you govern a country where there are 246 types of cheeses?"