An East Lothian cheesemonger has been put up for a national retail award as she is shortlisted for Small Independent Retailer of the Year.
The Cheese Lady in Haddington has managed to make her way into the last round of the Retail Industry awards as one of just four finalists. The award is for a “pioneering retailer at the heart of their community providing exceptional customer service and running new, exciting initiatives to help future proof the sector.”
The small, independent cheesemonger is run by Svetlana, who previously owned the Guid Cheese Shop in St Andrews. Svetlana has been working on her love of cheese for the past fifteen years in a career that has seen her host tasting events and masterclasses and even write two separate books about her passion.
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Her shop specialises in sourcing quality artisanal cheeses with a focus on quality and sustainability. Their online shop breaks down their range by country, milk, texture and style so you can source the absolutely perfect cheese for you. They even have a specific section to find drinks that pair well with your selection.
They also run a subscription and gift set service, where you can have either a regular delivery of artisan cheese or put together a gift package for your favourite cheese lover. The shop even has a micro-café where you can order flights of cheeses to sample tastes you may not otherwise try.
In their award entry, The Cheese Lady said: “The Cheese Lady is an award-winning family-owned specialist cheese shop, offering a curated selection of the finest farmhouse and artisan cheeses from the British Isles and the Continent.
“These complex and wholesome cheeses are crafted with care and precision by cheesemaking masters and matured to absolute perfection in our new maturation facility. Our customers love our unique customer service method that enables us to find the best cheeses for each customer's unique palate, favourite drink or occasion.
“The business is driven by the passion and expertise of our founder Svetlana. Named as one of the most inspirational cheese retailers in the UK, Svetlana is the author of an Amazon-bestseller 'Cheese Connoisseur's Handbook', as well as a professional cheesemonger, maturer and educator with over 15 years of experience.
“The Cheese Lady's mission is to champion real cheese and inspire wholesome and joyful living, as cheese is a perfect vehicle for that!
“Our business was founded in November 2017 and over the four years we have more than doubled our turnover. The last two years have been transformational for us and our turnover has grown by an average of 44% each year.”
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