Award-winning cheesemonger a new arrival at Sunny Bank Mills

An inspirational French cheesemonger has opened at the award-winning Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, near Leeds.

Metz Cheesemonger is owned by Emmanuelle Metz who has more than a decade of experience of selling cheese in both Yorkshire and France. Emmanuelle’s shop is beautifully situated at the front of the mill site in Sandsgate, an historic Edwardian mill building.

Originally from Paris, and now living in Kirkstall, Emmanuelle is thrilled with her new premises and described her move to Sunny Bank Mills as “a dream come true.”

She explained: “My new base is absolutely perfect. I couldn’t be happier here. The shop is visible from Town Street, Farsley’s main street, and I’m also part of a fantastic mill community. So I’ve got the best of both worlds.

“I have always loved selling and making cheese and, when I came over to Leeds from Paris, I worked in a cheese retailers, and it was a great opportunity to learn all about British cheeses and the cheesemaking community in the UK. It was a delight to take part in the Academy of Cheese Affineur of the Year competition with a beautiful Horsforth Brewery’s stout-washed rind Brie and win the People’s Choice Award. This creation was the start of many others.

“Meanwhile I won the prestigious Best Display Champion category at the Great Yorkshire Show, together with the Gold Awards for Cheeseboard and Grazing Board and a Silver Award for Celebration Cake which really gave me so much pleasure and confidence. What I love most though is to surprise people and my best award is seeing a huge smile on their faces.

“Now I have my very own shop! I want to share my passion and creativity with cheese lovers around Leeds. I very much see it as a melding of French and British culture both of which I am passionate about along with cheese, of course!”

Emmanuelle is keen to stress the difference between mass produced cheese and artisan cheese made by talented cheesemakers.

“The love and care that goes into making cheese by hand, rather than by machine, is reflected in the quality and taste. You cannot beat it. It’s all about sustainability, care, traditions, and everyone deserves to have some really good cheese at any time.

“I am already settling into Sunny Bank Mills and have arranged special cheese nights in conjunction with Amity Brew Co which is my near neighbour. I will also be having wine pairing nights in the coming year. That’s the joy of Sunny Bank Mills, there’s so much potential collaboration between occupiers. There’s a real spirit of togetherness here.

So, what single cheese would Emmanuelle recommend? “That’s a difficult question, as I love them all and my tastes change. But, if pressed right now, I would say Stonebeck Wensleydale, a raw milk farmhouse cheese. It is magnificent.”

Emmanuelle continued: “I am also tremendously grateful to William and John Gaunt of Sunny Banks Mills for providing such a special home for me. It is ideal. They have been a pleasure to work with.”

William Gaunt, joint managing director of Sunny Bank Mills with his cousin John, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Emmanuelle to Sandsgate. She has already proven she is a talented cheesemonger with the awards she has won and I can personally vouch for the superb quality of her cheeses.”

John Gaunt added: “Metz is a tremendous addition to the diverse range of businesses we have at Sunny Bank Mills. From a vinyl record shop to a jeweller, from a brewery to a gin specialist, from a pizza restaurant to an interior decorator, we have a wonderful array of tenants who are all driven by the pursuit of excellence within our creative environment. It is especially pleasing when they work together, as Emmanuelle is doing with Amity Brew Co.”

During the past 12 years, Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has transformed into one of the most exciting and respected cultural and community hubs in the Yorkshire region. It has 100 diverse independent companies and creatives on site bringing 500 sustainable new jobs to West Leeds. It is also home to an acclaimed contemporary Art Gallery and a textile Museum & Archive.

Metz is open on Tuesday to Saturday from 9.00am-6.00pm and on Sunday from 10.00am-4.00pm.