This outstanding French region immediately brings to mind the majestic Mont Blanc, feats of mountaineering, and the kind of sublime beauty much beloved by the Romantics. As we clearly see the ongoing effects of climate change, we are now also aware of the fragility of these seemingly pristine environments. What once may have seemed eternal is now perhaps more comprehensible to us, as we see glaciers recede and temperatures rise. Witnessing these majestic Alpine scenes are, we think, a must, and can help us to appreciate what must be done.

And so, surrounded by this ineffable mountain beauty, we turn our thoughts to cheese. This region takes cheese very seriously indeed, and for France, that’s saying something. An essential part of the traditional diet, cheese could be relied upon to keep you alive through the most bitter winters. These days, it’s less about life saving and more about enjoyment. In the Savoie – Le fromage, c’est la vie!

It’s a serious business, and cheese is not be messed with. There are rules. Take the famous Raclette for example. Raclette is a melted cheese dish that’s more delectable than fondue, and has a less 70’s vibe. The main constituent in this local speciality is a semi-soft, quite funky cheese called Raclette, from the French verb racler, to scrape. Traditionally, peasants would cut a wheel of Raclette in half and put it in front of the fire until the top layer became melted and toasty. Then, this top layer was scraped onto a plate and eaten, the next layer was ready for melting. Today, there are Raclette grills, table-top machines containing heating elements, with cooking trays underneath, so there’s no need to crouch around your log fire anymore. The cheese comes pre-sliced and is set on the table along with cornichons (small French pickles), cocktail onions and little Dutch potatoes. Another favourite entrée or side is viande séchée – cured beef, similar to prosciutto. Dinner guests melt their own cheese in the machine at the table with these simple accompaniments, making this the second most popular cook-it-yourself dish in the country.

Did you know you should not drink water when you eat Raclette? The contact of the water with the melted cheese makes a ball in your stomach, making digestion difficult. But fear not, there is a solution! Try a nice glass or two of Savoie’s excellent white wines and you will be just fine. You’re welcome.

So Raclette is an entertainment as well as a delicious belly full of cheese. It’s a joyous moment you share with people, a group experience. You don’t eat Raclette on your own, that is just sad. To avoid being ostracised, and having your French friends waving their fingers at you, simply don’t add fancy shrimp or asparagus into the Raclette equation. No. Stick to the rules.