I love birthdays, I love the rituals and the traditions. It was mine last week, so I ventured out into the storm to go to the local cheese mongers for my annual ‘Birthday Cheese’… I say annual ‘cos I did it last year too – but hey, that’s how traditions start isn’t it?

My Birthday Cheese expedition is a trip of delicious indulgence to mark another year alive. You’ll have to forgive my pictures of half eaten cheeses, the camera didn’t come out ’til the day after.

At times like this I love shopping for cheese on my own, no rolling of eyes as I try yet another piece, no barely masked hints that enough time has been spent smelling, tasting and extolling the virtues of the cheese. I think this has got to be first rule of Birthday Cheese. Go alone, let no one distract you from your important mission.

If that’s rule one, then rule two has got to be pay homage to the Cheese. Like each of us birthday girls, much time and love went into these cheeses so I taste purposefully, lingering over each sliver, honouring it with attention as I try my way through their selection. And going somewhere you can taste the cheese has got to be a third rule.

Well OK you can’t always get to somewhere you can taste, but you can at least approximate by carefully picking up each wrapped cheese, gently cradling it in your hand to get a sense of how ripe it is. I find taking a good deep smell of wrapped cheese can yield surprising results.

After that I take my treasures home, delighting in how they stink up the car, bus or the bag. Don’t put them the fridge, let them breathe and relax in preparation for the Birthday feasting. Superb!

So there my foodie friends, a little insight into me. I encourage you to take a little time at your birthday to treat yourself to the best of what ever tickles your fancy, cheese, wine, chocolate, beer or whiskey – whatever. Put ’em on pretty plates or in fancy glasses and voila! A birthday treat to indulge, savour and enjoy, knowing you’re worth it.

Other posts you might like:

These were my birthday cheeses last year.	Cheese canapés for cocktail parties	Christmas ritual – 70’s Cheese Ball