Traditional Derby Autumn Menu

There's an autumn chill in the air, and we all know what that means. Big fluffy jumpers, open fires, morning walks through the fallen leaves, and lots of delicious, hearty meals to look forward to!

Whether you're gathering friends around the table for a cosy dinner party or enjoying the first cold evenings of the season with a glass of wine and your favourite meal by the fire, we've put together a tasty autumn menu centred around our latest addition — Traditional Derby.

Smooth, buttery, and steeped in Derbyshire heritage, this award-winning cheese brings a mellow richness that pairs perfectly with the harvest flavours of the season.

Perfect for intimate suppers and celebratory feasts alike, our autumn menu ideas will bring warmth, flavour, and a true taste of tradition to your table.

Starter — Roasted Squash & Traditional Derby Cheese Tartlet

Main — Pan-Seared Chicken with Traditional Derby & Wild Mushroom Sauce

Side — Honey-Roasted Carrots with Traditional Derby & Hazelnut Topping

Dessert — Traditional Derby & Pear Cheesecake

Starter / Appetiser

Roasted Squash & Traditional Derby Cheese Tartlet

Sweet, caramelised butternut squash meets the buttery richness of Traditional Derby in this delicious autumnal appetiser. Encased in a crisp pastry, the cheese enhances the natural sweetness of the squash while adding a mellow depth, with sage and pumpkin seeds delivering a crunchy, earthy finish.

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 250g butternut squash, peeled & cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 100g Traditional Derby, sliced or grated
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Toss the squash in olive oil, season, and roast for 20–25 mins until caramelised.

2. Cut pastry into 4 rectangles. Score a small border around each. Prick centre with fork.
3. Arrange roasted squash, onion, and slices of Derby inside the border. Sprinkle sage.
4. Bake for 15–20 mins until golden and puffed.
5. Scatter with pumpkin seeds before serving.

Main Course

Pan-Seared Chicken with Traditional Derby & Wild Mushroom Sauce

Elevate a classic pairing: the smoky char of grilled steak meets the luxurious melt of blue cheese butter, for a dish bursting with decadent umami flavour.

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 4 chicken breasts, skin on

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 250g mixed wild mushrooms (chanterelles, chestnut, or porcini)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 100ml dry white wine
• 150ml double cream
• 100g Traditional Derby, grated
• 500g celeriac, peeled & chopped
• 50g butter
• 75 ml milk (for mash)
• Fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions:

1. Simmer celeriac until tender (15 mins). Mash with butter, milk, salt & pepper. Keep warm.

2. Season chicken. Heat oil & butter in a pan, sear chicken skin-side down until golden (5–6 mins). Flip, cook through (5–6 more mins). Rest under foil.
3. In the same pan, sauté mushrooms with garlic until softened. Deglaze with white wine and keep on the heat until the mixture has been reduced by half.
4. Stir in cream and Traditional Derby until melted into a smooth sauce.
5. Plate chicken over celeriac mash, spoon over mushroom sauce, and garnish with parsley.

Side

Honey-Roasted Carrots with Traditional Derby & Hazelnut Topping

Sweet, earthy carrots, caramelised in honey and thyme, take on a new flavour profile when combined with the savoury depth and buttery indulgence of Traditional Derby. This delicious side is satisfying while remaining light, providing the perfect accompaniment to our creamy chicken main.

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 600g carrots, peeled and cut lengthwise

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 40g hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
• 50g Traditional Derby, finely grated

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Toss carrots with olive oil, honey, thyme, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25–30 mins until caramelised.
3. Mix chopped hazelnuts with Traditional Derby cheese to form a coarse crumble.
4. Scatter the mixture over hot carrots just before serving so the cheese softens but doesn't fully melt.

Dessert

Traditional Derby & Pear Cheesecake

A refined twist on traditional flavours — this dessert toes the line of savoury and sweet to give your guests a surprising and sophisticated finale. Blending seamlessly with tangy cream cheese, Traditional Derby pairs beautifully with roasted pears and a drizzle of honey.

Ingredients (serves 6):

• 200g digestive biscuits, crushed

• 75g butter, melted
• 400g cream cheese
• 150g Traditional Derby, finely grated
• 100g sugar
• 3 eggs
• 200ml double cream
• 2 ripe pears, halved & cored
• 2 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F). Mix biscuits with butter, press into tin base, and chill.

2. Beat cream cheese, grated Traditional Derby, sugar, and eggs until smooth. Stir in cream.
3. Pour mixture over biscuit base and bake for 45–50 mins until set but with slight wobble. Cool fully.
4. Roast pears with honey & cinnamon until caramelised (20 mins).
5. Top cheesecake slices with pears and drizzle with honey.