Gourmet chemists sniff out ultimate cheese on toast

Recipes needed for the perfect Brit grilled snack

The splendidly monikered British Cheese Board has launched a search for the "perfect cheese on toast formula" - a quest that will nicely complement our own efforts to nail the ultimate bacon sarnie and pinnacle of cha perfection.

The board is seeking submissions from Brits, who have the chance to win "a top-of-the-range toasted sandwich maker and a hamper of British cheeses". It explains: "Tell us about the types of cheese and bread you use, extra toppings you like and the preparation techniques you employ to make your cheese on toast so special. Extra marks will be awarded if your recipe has local history or family heritage."

Contenders will be whittled down to a shortlist that will be put to the test by a panel of experts "led by a scientist from the Royal Society of Chemistry". The cheesy perfection test parameters are "optimum grilling conditions and preparation techniques; the type and preparation of the bread; the format of the cheese; flavour combinations and overall sensory experience".

We have no doubt Reg readers already know what constitutes the perfect cheese/toast combo, so if any of you fancy sitting on the judging panel, there's a chance to win a place by penning "a short poem about why cheese on toast made from British cheese is so delicious".

The deadline for recipe submissions is 12 noon on Friday, 26 July. The moment of truth will come on Tuesday, 13 August at the Royal Society of Chemistry. There are full details right here. ®

Bootnote

Thanks to Darryl Johnston for the heads-up.