Artisan cheese seller in a pickle after thieves made off with massive cheddar haul

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. a nose for (something) / ə noʊz fɔr / (idiom) – a natural ability to find something, usually something valuable or interesting
    Example:

    The museum director has a nose for unique art displays, filling the museum with fascinating artworks.


  2. pull off (something) / pʊl ɔf / (phrasal v.) – to successfully do or complete a difficult task
    Example:

    The team pulled off an amazing victory against the top team during the final game.


  3. rip-off / ˈrɪpˌɔf / (n.) – a dishonest act where someone is cheated, tricked, or overcharged, similar to a scam or theft
    Example:

    He felt like the concert tickets were a rip-off after realizing the seats were far from the stage.


  4. artisanal / ˈɑr tə zə nl / (adj.) – relating to products created by a skilled and talented person in a traditional way using high-quality materials
    Example:

    Artisanal products are more expensive than regular products because of the process by which they are made.


  5. culprit / ˈkʌl prɪt / (n.) – a person who has done something wrong or a crime
    Example:

    The police have not caught the culprit behind the robbery.


Article

Read the text below.

Thieves with a nose for fine cheese have pulled off a massive cheddar rip-off in London.


Neal’s Yard Dairy said a con artist posing as a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer had made off with 22 metric tons (48,488 pounds) of award-winning cheddar worth 300,000 British pounds ($390,000) before the company realized it had been scammed and reported the theft.


“The high monetary value of these cheeses likely made them a particular target for the thieves,” Neal’s Yard Dairy, a distributor, wholesaler, and retailer of British artisanal cheese, said in a statement.


Detectives at Scotland Yard and international authorities are searching for the culprits.


Nearly 1,000 wheels of cloth-wrapped cheese from three makers have gone missing: Hafod Welsh organic cheddar, Westcombe cheddar, and Pitchfork cheddar.


The dairy sells a wedge of Hafod cheddar for 12.90 pounds ($16.70) for 270 grams (9.5 ounces).


Tom Calver, a director of Westcombe Dairy, said a lot of work went into making the cheese that was aged 12 to 18 months.


“We’re devastated,” Calver said. “For that to be stolen… it’s absolutely terrible.”


Neal’s Yard Dairy has asked international cheesemongers to be on the lookout for the stolen cheese, particularly in 10-kilogram (22-pound) and 24-kilogram (52-pound) blocks.


It says it has paid all three cheesemakers in full, in keeping with its ethos of supporting small independent businesses developing the British cheese sector.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • What do you think about artisanal cheese being stolen by thieves? Is it surprising, funny, or weird? Why do you think so? In your opinion, why do some thieves steal unusual items like cheese rather than money, jewelry, or electronics? Have you ever heard of something like this happening in your country? Discuss.
  • How do you think the police should respond to thefts of unique items? How do police handle theft cases in your country? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Artisanal cheese is harder to make than regular cheese. Would you be willing to pay so much for this artisanal cheese? Why or why not? Do you think artisanal items are too expensive? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What artisanal food products are popular in your country? Have you tried any? Are they worth the price? Why or why not? What would you recommend to a tourist to buy and try? Discuss.