By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
Cheese lovers can now get their dairy fix at the One Wicker Cheese Company that opened in Highlands earlier this summer.
One Wicker offers traditional favorites such as Brie, Manchego, Stilton, and Parmesan; but Owner and “Cheese Queen” Sophie Delaney said her goal in operating a specialty cheese shop is to encourage people to try something different and new.
Cheese Queen Sophie Delany slices through a block of cheese at her new shop in Highlands. She is also pictured at the top of the article in front of her shop located at 539 Main Street.
“I have tried to focus our offerings on smaller batch, artisan, and farmstead cheeses that have a fun and interesting story behind them,” said Delaney. “We have several North Carolina cheeses, which I think is really special, we get to support other small locally owned businesses, and our customers get the opportunity to enjoy the taste of our land.”
One Wicker offers traditional favorites as well as a number of specialty cheeses.
Delaney offers customers the chance to sample different options, because how else will you know if you like it?
“There are so many different cheeses, styles, milks, washes, rinds, aging practices – the only real way to know if you like something is to try it,” she said. “I am still in my cheese learning journey as well and my favorite thing is to taste a cheese with a customer and see how our different palettes react, talk about what we like, is it fruity? Is it funky? Is it super salty or sweet or grassy? Does it have a nostalgic aroma or an interesting texture? That’s what makes this fun for me, hearing feedback, sharing the cheese’s story, getting to see the excitement when someone enjoys our suggestions and pairings. We offer samples both as a way to connect with our customers and to build trust in our selections.”
One Wicker offers a wide range of cut to order cheeses and charcuterie, as well as cheese flights to enjoy on site, a daily sandwich special, snack boxes, and order ahead charcuterie boards. One Wicker also serves wine by the glass and has a selection of beer, seltzers, and nonalcoholic beverages as well.
One of the daily sandwich specials at One Wicker Cheese Co.
There is a small retail side of One Wicker offering cheese related gifts and accompaniments, including cheese boards and serving knives, jams and jellies, local honey, gift baskets, chocolates and caramels, tea towels, greeting cards, crackers, and cookies. One Wicker also offers farm fresh eggs and seasonal produce from Delany’s sister’s farm in Franklin, One Wicker Farm.
Cheese related gifts and accompaniments at One Wicker Cheese Co.
Why the name One Wicker Cheese Co.?
Delany said she is often asked how she came up with the name One Wicker Cheese Co. The idea of “One Wicker” began back in the summer of 2022 as a business venture with Delany’s sister, Hannah.
“We were dreaming up a side hustle that would provide thoughtfully, locally sourced and hand assembled gift and picnic baskets for any occasion,” said Sophie. “At the time, we were inspired by the image of a woven wicker basket, an ancient technique, strong and sturdy, one used to gather and hold goods. It was the coming together, a ‘oneness,’ of our talents and strengths, our close bond and also a connection to our community.”
Customers can dine in or possibly have a glass of wine while waiting for their order.
However, before they could launch their venture, Hannah purchased a farm in Franklin N.C. and the idea was put on hold.
Fast forward to 2023 and Sophie and Hannah were attending “cheese bootcamp” at Murry’s in New York City and inspiration struck them both.
“Our first learning module was all about the history of cheese, when it was discovered, how it was discovered, the ancient ways it was made and stored and enjoyed,” said Sophie. “During this section we read an excerpt from The Odyssey and learned that the cyclops Polyphemus was making his milk in wicker baskets. I remember Hannah and I both looked up at each other while reading this, knowing we had the same thought, and that is when One Wicker Cheese was born.”
One Wicker Cheese Co. is located at 539 Main Street in Highlands.
To learn more about One Wicker Cheese Co., click HERE.