Pride but no prejudice from cheese maestro

The former Blur guitarist was at the Yorkshire Food and Drink Show in Millennium Square, part of the Leeds Loves Food festival.

Baking hot sunshine helped the three-day event beat last year’s visitor numbers.

James, once a bit of a party animal but now a mellowed father-of-five with a farm in a remote corner of Oxfordshire, said the Leeds food festival was further proof of how Britain had evolved into a “food producing wonderland”.

“The best food in Britain is as good as any food found anywhere.”

After 10 minutes of cheese-related chat and anecdotes, James told the Yorkshire Post his favourite cheese was cheddar. His name graces a range on sale at Asda.

“Food is the last great bastion of snobbery. I do love posh cheese but I don’t mind the odd ‘triangle’ as well.”

He said he was aware that Leeds might be considered to be a city of cheese lovers, being home to the popular Homage 2 Fromage cheese club.

“When I came to speak it was ram jammed,” he recalled.

The event showcased the best in the county, from Andrew Jones Pies, Zouk, Wensleydale Brewery, Robinsons Pies and Hansas, among many others,