Feb 28 2025
Just like clothes, hairstyles and interior décor, restaurant cuisine goes in and out of fashion, and although it is not always a case of waiting for a cycle to come round and something to return back into style, there are some perennial favourites which tend to endure, and which beat off the competition from passing trends and fads. In French cuisine there are some everlasting favourites which are rich in history and are robust of flavour and character, and this means they are staple features of any good French restaurant. And while we don’t know whether these are new trends, retro trends or an obsession with anything ‘classic’, what we do know is that French cheese is the common denominator in the most durable and revered French dishes.
Sodiaal specialises in making the best French cheeses accessible to the UK. This means that the quality and authenticity that comes from harnessing centuries-old traditions can be delivered to your kitchen and your customers’ tables. Our partnerships with the best cheese producers all over France means we are able to embrace the history and tradition of French cheese-making while also delivering on sustainable methods, animal welfare and the best possible quality.
When you think of French cheese you think about strong and complex aromas, textures and taste, but there is a great versatility in French cheese which lends itself to some classic dishes. And when assessing the latest trends in French cuisine, some perennial favourites still appear. So how can you use premium French cheeses to bring exciting and popular dishes to your café or restaurant? Here’s some currently trending French dishes, all of which are rooted in the classic traditions of French cuisine:
Fondue – The latest UK food fad is what many dismiss as a forgotten 1970s dish. But many restaurants are bringing back the fondue, some even combining it with the traditional British Sunday Roast dinner. In France, this is a classic winter warmer, and is particularly popular après ski, and is a communal sharing dish enjoyed with chunks of vegetables or bread dipped into a lavish pot of melted cheese. Take your pick from Comte, Beaufort, Gruyere or Emmental for some indulgent gooey loveliness.
Truffade – A quick and simple dish with a rustic feel, Truffade traditionally uses Cantal cheese as a cheese topping on layers of sliced potatoes. Use this is a feel-good dish on its own, or paired with a meat dish or even a salad.
Aligot – This is a velvety smooth dish which mixes mashed potato with a melted cheese, cream and garlic. You need a French cheese with good elasticity, such as a Morbier, so that the stringy cheese can be tangled with anything dipped into it. This is a variation on a fondue, where rather than smooth creaminess, you have lovely long cheese strands to play with.
Souffle – A decadent souffle is a never-fails crowd pleaser, and using a French cheese such as Gruyere or Emmental gives it a rich taste and the Golden appearance you are after. Make sure your souffle is airy and light, using the best butter and milk, along with egg white and flour. For the classic experience, you can eat this straight from the ramekin.
Berthoud – Similar to a gratin, this is a traditional dish from the Savoie region, and hence uses Abondance cheese as its central character. This uses potatoes, again, but soaked in a rich sauce which uses white wine, port, garlic and pepper. Pure indulgence here is helped by the golden brown topping you get from this oven baked delight.
So if you want your café or restaurant to follow the latest trends in French cuisine, you don’t need to step too far from classic traditions, and certainly you will want to get a steady supply of premium French cheeses. So contact our team at Sodiaal and we can deliver the best French cheeses to make sure your menus are never out of fashion.
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