Follow Me Foodie: Evolution of the Stilton Cheesecake

Michael Noble created a Stilton Cheesecake at Diva at the Met. He now owns NOtaBLE in Calgary, where it’s a staple. Photo from NOtaBLE.

By Mijune Pak , Follow Me Foodie – WE Vancouver
Published: September 18, 2013 11:00 AM
Updated: September 18, 2013 11:09 AM

Cheesecake dates back to 776 BC in Ancient Greece, when it was fed to athletes at the Olympic Games. Generally considered a calorie-rich and indulgent dessert in modern North American contexts, the Greeks considered it a high energy food source. I like the way they think.

Cheesecake has evolved and many cultures have their own versions, but one in particular is unique to Vancouver — the Stilton Cheesecake.

While it is commonly considered the dessert for non-dessert lovers, this cheese plate and dessert-in-one is embraced by sophisticated palates who enjoy sweet and savoury flavour combinations.

In the mid-90s the idea of Stilton in a dessert was adventurous; the earliest trace I could find for it was in May 1990. Texas Monthly magazine published a recipe for Stilton Cheesecake with Walnut Crust by chef Jack Chaplin of Chaplin’s in Dallas.

Its origin may not be officially documented, but the history of the Stilton Cheesecake has strong roots in Vancouver.

It was arguably invented in, or at least introduced to, Vancouver at the 1996 opening of Diva at the Met. The creator was Michael Noble, who was the executive chef at the time, but is now chef and proprietor of NOtaBLE in Calgary. I had the pleasure of meeting chef Noble and trying the original Stilton Cheesecake, which has been on NOtaBLE’s menu since opening day in late 2010.

The inspiration came to him as an epiphany… Read the full article.

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Mijune

Food & Travel Storyteller | Director of Fun | Judge on Food Network Canada's Top Chef Canada | TV Personality | Critical Thinker, Avid Learner... and Eater. Try it until you like it.