Stokes Sauces Cheese Selection Review
DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Becky B
Is there someone in your life who is impossible to buy for, leaving you spending ages searching for a gift they’ll genuinely love? Well, Stokes may have come up with the answer with their Sauces for Food Lovers “Cheese Selection”. If there’s one edible Christmas gift guaranteed not to gather dust at the back of the cupboard, this is it. With a trio of chutneys that are perfect for the Christmas table, or our favourite Christmas Day treat, the cheeseboard, it’s a gift that’s sure to be enjoyed.
The set consists of a trio of condiments: Fig Relish, Chilli Jam and Red Onion Marmalade, designed to accompany your favourite cheeses. We tested them with mild cheddar, extra mature cheddar, Red Fox cheese and of course, crackers. The selection offers a good variety of flavours to suit different palates and pairings. Although designed for cheese, we also went rogue and added some cured meats and pâté, finding that the selection accompanied these equally well.
The quality of these condiments is apparent from first glance. They’re packed with quality ingredients and have a rich and luxurious texture. I was particularly impressed by the ingredient list, which featured recognisable foods rather than something resembling a chemistry experiment. It’s also worth noting that all three are gluten-free, dairy-free, and suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets, making this a great option for those with dietary requirements or preferences – another important consideration when choosing a gift.
The Fig Relish is sweet and tangy, packed with chunky figs that create a satisfying, chewy texture. It was a firm favourite, with my husband declaring it as “the most delicious thing he had ever tasted”. It paired particularly well with the mature cheddar, and I suspect it would also work beautifully with blue cheese, if that’s your thing.
My personal favourite was the Chilli Jam, which strikes a lovely balance between sweet and savoury, with a finer texture and a gentle warmth. I often find chilli products can be quite intense, but the Stokes Chilli Jam delivers flavour and warmth without being overwhelming. It worked particularly well with the mild cheddar, and I’m already looking forward to trying it with a baked Camembert.
The Red Onion Marmalade has a deep, sweet flavour and a thick, jammy texture with tender onion pieces. It paired well with all of the cheeses and was especially enjoyable with pâté. I think it would also make an excellent addition to a ploughman’s lunch, served with some good crusty bread.
The jars are presented in Stokes’ signature branding and come neatly packaged in a gift box. Stokes sauces have a reputation for delivering high-quality products, and this selection certainly lives up to that expectation. I was pleased to see that the jars are a generous size (250-265g) and at under £20, the set offers good value for money and would work equally well as a standalone gift or as part of a cheese and wine hamper if you want to splash out. Alternatively, you could simply treat yourself! The rich jewel-like colours of the condiments are guaranteed to add a festive touch to any table.
If you fancy elevating the gift further, Stokes also offers some thoughtful extras. I was lucky enough to receive a Stokes Jute Tote Bag, which is perfectly sized to hold the Cheese Selection and doubles as a reusable lunch bag thanks to its waterproof lining. I also received a Stokes Ketchup Keyring, a fun little stocking filler for the sauce lover in your life.
So, whether you’re searching for a thoughtful gift or looking to elevate your own Christmas cheeseboard, this Stokes selection is a simple way to add a little extra flavour to the festive season – just don’t be surprised if, after gifting one, you end up ordering a second set for yourself!
Rating: 5/5
Cheese Selection £18, Jute Bag £3 and Keyring £4.49
You can buy the Stokes Sauces for Food Lovers Cheese Selection (and other Stokes products) directly from the Stokes website: https://www.stokessauces.co.uk/products/gifts/