Cheesemonger Anthony Femia curates three cheesy delights for all budgets.
As we gear up for a semi-normal Christmas with our friends and family, acclaimed cheesemonger Anthony Femia from Maker & Monger has made sure no one will be left hungry with his festive and cheesy delights to suit everyone.
First cab off the rank is the perfect gift for someone who is the life of the party, and, of course, loves all things cheese. The Entertainer’s Christmas Hamper at $100 is great for 2–4 people, featuring That’s Amore burrata, L’Amuse Signature Gouda, Stone & Crow’s Amiel goat’s milk cheese, air-freighted Gorgonzola dolce with new season honeycomb, Délice de Bourgogne triple cream brie, Anthony’s mum’s special pesto recipe using Giorgio Cravero’s Parmigiano Reggiano and Sardinian Pecorino and the cherry on the top; premium extra-large cherries from his neighbour Damian Pike.
“This is a great gift to give a cheese lover combined with some delicious seasonal cherries. The flavour combinations and the theatrics of oozing the burrata over the pesto is always a fun spectacle. The only decision left to be made is what champagne to serve it with,” says Anthony.
And for those looking to spoil their special someone or impress their in-laws, then the Crème de la Crème Cheese Hamper at $150 is the one for them. It includes the three best French cheeses available in Australia; the exclusive Marcel Petite Comté Réservation, Carles Roquefort and Brillat-Savarin triple cream brie. To accompany, the hamper comes with a jar of Attica’s indigenous pine plum jam, charcoal crackers, and an M&M-branded American Walnut wooden board from Arteveneta.
If all the Christmas shopping leaves you hungry, make sure to swing by the Maker & Monger counter in the week leading up to the big celebrations for a special limited-edition Christmas Ham Toastie.
In collaboration with premier butcher and friend of Maker & Monger, Gary’s Meats, the toastie will feature maple syrup and sour cherry-glazed free-range Berkshire ham off the bone, and a crispy Gouda crust finished with a sour cherry glazing. The Christmas Toastie will be available from 19 December until Christmas Eve for $16.50.
To make things a little sweeter this festive season, Maker & Monger will also be offering 10% discount on all retail pre-orders placed before 17 December. They will also be doing special deliveries the week before Christmas to the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas for a flat fee of $20, including biodegradable ice packs to keep the cheese in perfect condition. The Chapel of Cheese will definitely be the one-stop-shop for all the food lovers this Christmas.
Maker & Monger
Prahran Market, 163–165 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
(03) 9958 4830
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Images: Kate Shanasy