I am doing some research on the toasted cheese roll, a cheese filling rolled in a slice of bread and baked or grilled.
The most common filling nowadays, seems to be reduced cream, 1 pkt onion soup mix, and grated cheese, melted together to make a creamy sauce.

It seems the cheese roll is integral to Southland, or at least Otago/Dunedin, and has become a popular icon for fundraising purposes. If you are a present or ex southlander, you may have a story or your own favourite recipe. We are having an Exhibition at The Riverton Art Centre during September, 2008, to celebrate this Southland delicacy.

What is your earliest/fondest memory of the cheese roll?
Do you have any knowledge of the history of its origins?
Why has the recipe been sustained in Southland?
Have you been involved in making cheese rolls for fundraising purposes?
What is your favourite recipe?
At the end of the exhibition, there will be a competition for judging the best cheese rolls by well known celebraties.

Dear Gaye-Belle,

I am doing some research for a new travel / entertainment television programme being filmed around New Zealand this February / March and we are looking at doing a section on regional food and drink specific to New Zealand.

I found your discussion topic on 'The Southland Cheese Roll' and wondered if I could speak to you about this to find out about its history, popularity, how it is made, what it means to Southlanders etc.

My contact details are listed below, if you could get in touch with me ASAP that would be fantastic! Alternatively if you send me your contact details I can give you a call some time in the next few days.

I hope to hear from you soon,


Kind regards,


Inga

Inga Boyd
Production Coordinator
The Gibson Group
04 384 7789
021 786 638
inga@gibson.co.nz

Hi Inga - if you type into google 'origin cheese rolls nz" their history is all there for you to read. Thought you may like to know this.