Mastering the Art of Up-Selling Accompaniments for Cheese

How to Boost Your Cheese Sales with Accompaniments

In the world of fine food, cheese is a star that shines brightly on its own, but when paired with the right accompaniments, it becomes a whole constellation!

One of the most effective ways to do this—and boost your sales—is through thoughtful up-selling of accompaniments. Not only does it enhance the customer experience, but it also boosts sales and fosters a deeper appreciation for the nuances of cheese.

Building Loyal Cheese Customers

In the competitive world of food retail, this gives speciality cheese shops and delis the opportunity to carve out a niche and offer a unique selling proposition.

The magic of cheese, as with wines, lies not only in its own complex flavours and textures but also in how it interacts with various accompaniments. Whether your customers are hosting a sophisticated dinner party or simply indulging in a quiet evening at home, the right pairings can transform their cheese experience from delightful to unforgettable – one that keeps them coming back for more.

Craft an Engaging Customer Experience with Cheese Paring

Letting customers sample pairings can be incredibly persuasive. Elevating your cheese’s base flavours via complementary pairings can be incredibly persuasive and will likely lead to increased sales and a more engaged customer base.

Customers leave feeling satisfied and educated, having discovered new flavour combinations and enjoyed a more immersive shopping experience. This not only encourages repeat business but also helps build a loyal customer base.

When putting together samplings, bear in mind how long they will be out for – high moisture cheeses, if prepped too far in advance can lead to soggy crackers, whilst fresh fruit toppings have a tendency to oxidise and discolour.  In these instances, we recommend assembling these little and often throughout the day. 

Children and Cheese

We love to see children trying new cheeses and experimenting with their palate, but they are not always aware of the etiquette involved with communal tasting.  Therefore, it is wise to position your tasting table above little people head height.   

Here are some pairings to consider for your sampling table:

Fruit Pairings for Cheese

Brie de Meaux and Apples: The creamy, buttery texture of brie pairs beautifully with crisp, tart apple slices. The fruit’s acidity cuts through the cheese’s richness, making each bite a refreshing experience.

Blue Stilton PDO and Pears: The pungent, tangy notes of gorgonzola are softened by the sweet, juicy flavour of pears. This contrast highlights the cheese’s complexity while offering a balanced taste.

Goat’s Cheese & Dates: The fresh, yet creamy acidity of a young goat’s milk cheese is enhanced by the sweet, chewy texture of medjool dates – a combination to treat for the senses.

Charcuterie and Cheese

Charcuterie boards are a quintessential way to enjoy cheese, with cured meats adding a savoury and often smoky flavour that pairs perfectly with a variety of cheeses.

Aged Gouda and Prosciutto: The caramel-like sweetness of aged Gouda complements the delicate saltiness of prosciutto. The combination creates a delightful contrast that enhances both the cheese and the meat.

Parmigiano-Reggiano and Salami: The nutty, granular texture of Parmigiano-Reggiano pairs well with the robust flavours of salami. Together, they offer a complementary blend of savoury and salty notes.

Le Gruyère AOP and Chorizo: The slightly sweet, nutty flavour of Le Gruyère is a great match for the spicy, smoky notes of chorizo. This pairing brings a depth of flavour that’s bold and punchy.

Nuts, Honey & Quince Accompaniments for Cheese

Goat Cheese and Honey: The tangy, creamy nature of goat cheese is perfectly complemented by the smooth, sweet taste of honey. Drizzle honey over a slice of goat cheese for a decadent and delightful bite.

Manchego PDO and Quince Paste: The subtle, nutty flavor of Manchego is enhanced by the sweet, fruity notes of quince paste, or Membrillo. This combination is a classic in Spanish cuisine and is perfect for a sophisticated cheese board.

Whilst the juxtaposition of sweet and salty can really elevate the cheese experience, we do not recommend putting out nut combinations due to the risk of anaphylaxis.

Make your Cheese Up Sales Seasonal

When it comes to up-selling, remember to make the pairings relevant; Christmas feasting offers so many glorious cheese matches. Think along the lines of medjool dates and goats cheese, Vacherin Mont D’Or with Prosciutto, chocolate-coated cherries and Blue Stilton, pickled figs and Manchego, and Christmas cake (without the icing) can make a sublime pairing for a Lancashire, or Wensleydale.

Train Your Cheese Staff

If sampling is not your thing, you can still take advantage of the power of upselling.  Equip your staff with knowledge about the cheeses and accompaniments you offer, and they will be able to provide personalised recommendations based on customers’ preferences and the cheese they choose.  Suggesting high-quality accompaniments will complement and elevate their choice, whilst increasing basket spend. 

Two Cheese Up Sells to Try:

• For traditional territorial cheeses, such as Cheshire or Caerphilly, or even Cornish Yarg, suggest pairing with boozy cherries atop a charcoal cracker for a twist on cherry yoghurt.
• Whilst a sticky, funky washed-rind, such as Époisses or Stinking Bishop, will welcome the sharp, refreshing crunch of a cornichon, atop the non-competing canvas of a plain cracker.

Grab your pairing wheel

To help you and your staff, we have developed in collaboration with the team at Peter’s Yard, a handy pairing wheel which gives a whole range of classic and innovative pairing suggestions. Peter’s Yard have developed and offer a range of quality sourdough crackers, famed for their iconic crunchy texture – which is a hit amongst cheese lovers.

Keep an eye out for your complimentary Cheese Pairing Wheel in the upcoming issue of Fine Food Digest. This handy tool will elevate your Christmas tastings and sampling events, making it easier to upsell crackers and delicious accompaniments.

If you’re interested in stocking Peter’s Yard and supercharging your Christmas sales, you can do so by contacting Holly.Brown@petersyard.com.

Cross-selling accompaniments in a cheese shop

Cross-selling accompaniments in a cheese shop is an art that combines knowledge, creativity, and customer engagement. By understanding the synergy between cheese and its pairings, curating considered recommendations, and creating an immersive shopping experience, you can elevate the customer experience and boost your shop’s success. Ultimately, the goal is to transform every cheese purchase into a culinary adventure, leaving customers delighted and confident in their purchases.

Looking for more inspiration?

Dive into our Cheesemongers’ Learning Zone for more information and resources. We’ll boost your confidence in discussing and showcasing cheese, while also sharing clever, time-saving tips to help you sell more cheese effortlessly.