Make sure all your cheese is at room temperature. Cold cheese straight from the fridge can have a negative effect on the tasting experience.

It’s a good idea to have a variety of cheese accompaniments. Think chutneys and honey, as well as a selection of fruit and nuts. Chocolate, or chocolate-covered nuts can also work brilliantly, and different types of bread and crackers are also a must.

Cheeseboards are all about texture, so you’ll want to cover all bases. Hard cheeses include cheddars, Pecorinos and Wensleydale. Soft cheeses include Brie and Camembert. Blue cheese is almost a category of its own, featuring Stilton, Gorgonzola, Roquefort and Cashel Blue.

If you’re hosting a large group of people, make sure to label your cheese. The last thing you want is to have to spend the evening explaining which cheese is which!

No knockout cheeseboard would be complete without an accompanying beverage. Sparkling wines and full-bodied reds go great with hard cheeses, while a chilled Sauvignon Blanc, a dry Riesling or a Belgian gueuze pair perfectly with soft cheese. Port should be the drink of choice when opting for an enticing piece of blue cheese.