Neil’s Yard CreameryCelebrity chef Jamie Oliver has called on people to be aware of “luxury cheese on the truck” being sold “on the cheap” after more than 22 tonnes of cheddar cheese was stolen from London cheese specialist Neal’s Yard Dairy.
Scammers posed as legitimate wholesalers for a major French retailer and received 950 cheeses wrapped in cloth, worth more than £300,000. Before people realize they are a fake company.
In a post on Instagram, Oliver told his followers: “There’s been a serious cheese heist. Some of the best cheddar cheese in the world has been stolen.”
He described it as a “real disgrace”, adding: “If anyone hears that luxury cheese is cheap, it’s probably some of the wrong people.”
Instagram/Jamie OliverHe continued: “I really don’t know what they’re going to do with it.
“In the fast-food industry, in the commercial industry, do they peel it off the cloth, cut it, grind it up, and throw it away? I don’t know — the scratches feel really weird.”
Hundreds of cheeses are made from three types of artisan cheddar – Harford Welsh, Westcombe and Pitchfork – all award-winning cheeses with high monetary value .
Neal’s Yard Dairy sells Hafod Welsh for £12.90 per 300g, while Westcombe sells it for £7.15 per 250g and Pitchfork sells it for £11 per 250g.
The company said it was still paying cheesemakers so individual dairies did not have to bear the cost, adding that it was working with police to identify those responsible.
A spokesman said the company was currently grappling with the financial setback.
Neil’s Yard CreameryThe company is also calling on cheese merchants around the world to contact them if they suspect they have stolen cheese for sale, particularly 10kg or 24kg cloth-bundled cheddar cheese with detached labels.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “On Monday we received a report that a large quantity of cheese had been stolen from a manufacturer in Southwark.
“Investigations into the circumstances are ongoing.”
Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the theft.
