Three-Aisle Loops
A three-aisle loop is our favourite way to see a festival without zig-zag fatigue. You move down the first aisle, cross near the end, return along the second, and finish on the third with room to pause before you exit. It is neat, it is forgiving, and it makes comparison simple. The question we are asked most often is whether to add garnish: small extras that sit beside the cheeses you buy — chutneys, crackers, pickles, fruit. The short answer is “sometimes”, and the longer answer lives below.
Why the loop works
The loop keeps decisions local. You taste, you note a texture or strength, and you meet the next stall a minute later. Because the route is contained, you remember what you liked from five minutes ago and you can compare without a long walk. It also gives you natural reset points — the two crossings — where you can drink water, check your bag, and decide whether to change pace.
The case for garnish
Garnish helps when you want to teach your palate without slipping into theatre. A thin cracker offers crunch and calm; it can reset your mouth after a creamy soft cheese. A tart apple slice can coax more sparkle from an aged hard cheese. For blues, a touch of sweetness balances the mineral edge. The trick is to keep extras small and quiet. If the cracker becomes the star, you learn less; if honey floods the taste, you miss the point. Garnish should be a lens, not a mask.
When to skip it
Skip garnish when the queue runs long and you need to move kindly. Also skip it when a stall offers samples exactly as they serve them; trust their format first. If you are unsure about a style, ask for a plain taste and then a tiny second try with a cracker. Two small tastes teach more than one big bite. People often discover that the cheese they considered “too strong” was simply crowded by a sweet jam.
Loop timing and resets
On a steady day, we give each aisle about ten minutes, with a short pause at each crossing. That rhythm keeps the loop to roughly forty minutes, not counting a sit-down. If the festival is busy, make the second aisle your quick pass: identify two stalls and leave the rest for later. Use the third aisle to return to a question you parked earlier. A garnish can wait until the end, when your choices are set and you want to see how two cheeses behave side by side.
Packing and travel
A small cool bag is a quiet hero. It protects soft cheeses and stops you from rushing purchases. If you buy chutney, look for smaller jars; heavy glass is the enemy of a light loop. Label paper with a pen as you go. When you get home, keep extras modest on the plate. A few slices of apple, a square of bread, and water are enough. Garnish, like the third aisle, is there to support your choices, not to run the day. In short, loops teach by nearness; garnish teaches by contrast, but only in moderation and patience.