Borough Market to host cheese-themed festive event this week

Borough Market will host a cheese-themed night led by their community of cheesemongers, including a Forest Hill couple who have a number of stalls across the borough that have now become local favourites.

This Thursday, (December 15) Borough Market will open after-hours for a cheese-themed shopping extravaganza.

People can enjoy tastings, seek expert advice and put together a festive cheeseboard featuring the highest quality cheeses from all across Europe.

One of the cheesemongers is Jon Thrupp – who lives in Forest Hill with partner Jane. They own ‘Mons Cheesemongers’, and have been based at Borough Market since 2006.

The couple – who also have stalls in East Dulwich, Bermondsey and Brockley – say in the last few years their customers base has become more local.

Borough Market trader puts Iraqi food in the spotlight

“The pandemic brought a brilliant silver lining in that it opened us up to the local community,” Jon said.

“Before, I think locals maybe saw Borough as a place for tourists – and that the prices weren’t accessible. But when people couldn’t travel they started exploring local businesses a lot more, so lots of people from Bermondsey and Rotherhithe have now found us – at our smaller stalls and also at Borough.

“They see that prices are comparable to most supermarkets,” he added.

Although they don’t do vegan cheese (yet), Mons work with organic and family farmers in Italy, France and Switzerland – “We would never say never to vegan cheese. But at the moment, we know exactly who we’re working with and it’s not on a huge scale.”

“The last few years have introduced us to the local community.” (Jon and partner, Jane)

‘An Evening of Cheese’ was set up years ago as a celebration of the variety of cheese that there is at Borough Market.

At the event, Mons will be offering 10% off Camembert, Fondue and Raclette – (The Melting Cheeses). “These are perfect for sharing at Christmas gatherings,” Jon said.

Or if people want to design their own cheeseboard for the party season, they’ll be on hand on the night to share their knowledge after nearly twenty years in the business.