NOW CLOSED Chedds from Cathedral City product test - feedback thread

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 50 MNers who have been trying Chedds - the new 100% real Cheddar kids snacking range from Cathedral City. "Chedds is available in three fun formats: Cheese and Toasties - mini slices of real Cheddar and melba toast, Nibbles - a mini bag of bite sized Cheddar cubes that kids will love to share and Bricks - mini blocks of Cheddar that are perfect for kids on the go."

So please tell us...

(do state the age of your child in your feedback)

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?

Many thanks - remember - all testers who add their feedback here will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky winner will win a £100 SpaceNK voucher.

MNHQ

[PfftTheMagicDragonhideGloves]

H would like it to be known that he disapproves of bricks, on the grounds that they are not shaped at all like bricks.

[littleducks]

DD is 4 was the main tester, DS who is 3 'helped.'
They both say thank you for letting them try the chedds.

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

We quite liked them but as has already been mentioned the packaging is a stumbling block.

On the afternoon they arrived dd tried the toastie pack and was desperate to take another one in her packed lunch the next day but neither she nor my MIL could open the silver foil packet inside.

I really liked the cheese and toastie as a product, I would happily give these to dd as I was sastisfied with it nutritionally, whereas I ban dairylea dunkers and cheese strings, which my children love the idea of but never actually eat after playing about with......but she does need to be able to open the packet!

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

As I said the cheese and toasties was a real winner for us. The nibbles are original too, I am not sure about the bricks personally but if I bought them the kids would definately eat them.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

If the packaging was altered I would definately buy the cheese toasties for pack lunch, I would consider buying the nibbles for as an alternative to raisins as a 'stay quiet' snack for ds.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

They loved all the formats, they thought the cheese was tasty.

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

DD would happily take any of these for packed lunch or have as an afterschool snack. She liked the toasties best but can't pick a worst.

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?

They liked it (not garish imo, which was appealing). DD was interested in the facts but say that you shouldnt get the same fact twice on two bricks from the brick packet.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?

I probably would, i klnow the kids would ask if they saw them in the shop.

But for me to buy them frequently instead of a major treat the packaing needs to be reviewed. It needs to be easier to open and the toasties box should be just millimetres shorter, dd has sistema lunchboxes (as does everyone in her school it seems) and they were just a tad to long to fit nicely in the cube whereas alternative products like philidelphia dipper things do.

Obviously I would expect them to be competitively priced.

[susiey]

I have a dd age 5 and ds 3 who were testing the product
Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

they look very attarctive, though I found them quite difficult to open

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

the cheese and toasties they loved, the nibbles they thought were fun and the bricks there are other products available on the market very similar so they weren't so fussed

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

if they were on special offer in lunch boxes or on picnics grabbed on the go

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

they liked the cheese toasties but they actually prefer a more mature cheddar

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

best - cheese and toasties - they tasted the best and they could play with them. although they were really hartd to get into so no good for lunch boxes

worst - bricks - there were just not as exciting as the other 2

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?

not sure they even noticed!

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?

yes if they were the right price or for a special lunch box / picnic treat

[littleducks]

I have mistyped and must correct before I read dd this thread tomorrow, she is 5 and has been for several months !

[bigTillyMint]

The testers were son - 10 1/2 and daughter 12

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
Packaging attractive and easy to open

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks
Children liked them both, although they felt the nibbles packs were a bit small! They enjoyed the cheese and toasties, though DD sugested some chutney to dip into

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
an extra treat for packed lunches / eating on a journey

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
We didn't get any bricks but they might have been more suitable for my older children. They liked the flavour of the cheese.*

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?
Cheese and toasties - more fun and more substantial

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
Interested in facts / jokes once I'd pointed them out!

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Yes if they were a good price for an extra treat in packed lunches!

[BeattieBow]

Testers were daughter 10, daughter 8, daughter 6 and son 3.




Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
Packaging attractive but not easy to open for the younger children. I had to use scissors to open the bricks for all of them. when dd6 opened the nibbles they went all over the place.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

I didn't think much of the bricks - did just seem like a lump of cheese that you could cut yourself. But then again it would depend on the price. Others seemed ok.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
not for myself. Just for the children, and I think for lunchboxes rather than snacks.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

They were very excited!


Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

it varied depending on the age of the child. Oldest dd liked the bricks the best. other dds liked the toast the best and youngest ds liked the nibbles. youngest dds liked the bricks the least. Nibbles went down well with them. They liked the taste of the cheese - they said it was creamy. Dd1 (10 ) said that the reason she liked the bricks was because it was "squidgy".

Q6 What did your children think about the character, facts and the jokes on the packets?
They didn't notice them. But interested once I pointed them out (they especially liked the jokes - why was the muesli scared? because there was a cereal killer on the loose")!

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
yes for packed lunches. I liked that there wasn't any additives in the ingrediants and it seemed fairly healthy.

[Shinyshoes1]

do state the age of your child in your feedback)
child is 10 years old

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
Consistent with other Catherdral City Products and easily recognisable. Easy to open packets which is important

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks
Great range which would suit all age ranges

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
I would keep it for the children as it's another welcome addition to the lunchbox. Personally for me I would just continue to but the large blocks of cheese to keep at home in the fridge. This would be an ideal thing to nibble on it the car on journeys

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
He loved the idea of them. He loves the packaging and had great fun tellin g us the jokes on the back as it was different and you wouldn't normally see that on other products. The product is definitely aimed at children

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

My son preffered the Cheese and toasties out of the range. Giving it an 9/10 He enjoyed it not being 'just a sample of cheese' He liked the idea of a 'put it together yourself' and something different to have in his lunchbox. He like the crunchiness of the toast with the creaminess of the cheese he didn't find it too dry.

He said The nibbles were ok 7/10 perhaps a little small for his hands and would suit his little sister better (she is 3 years old), he did like the texture describing it as melt in the mouth and buttery and not too strong for himself or his little sister.

The Bricks were better to hold 8/10 and he'd be happy to have it in his lunchbox, he loves cheese and he didn't fell as though he was knawing at lumps of cheese, he liked the texture and the way it kept it freshness. Again he said the taste wasn't too strong and was easy to eat and not drying int he mouth.

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
He said the characters were good and he loved the jokes on the back as it was be something to talk about at the lunch table with his friends.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Absolutely yes i'd buy them as a regular thing for their lunchboxes. As long as the price was good. They are healthy and nutritious and sometimes it's difficult to find something healthy and different they like to eat. It beats boring sandwiches !
The individual packaging was good and there was just enough in there to suit most child age ranges and to fill a small gap in their tummys.
I would like to see this range in mature cheddar as well as my child like a mild and a mature cheese. They definitely prefer this to the Cheestring and Dairylea dunkers range

Thanks Mumsnet and Catherdral City for the opportunity for us to take part

[Wigeon]

Thanks for sending me free cheese! My child is 3 years old. DH and I also tested them. .

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

Generally positive. Was particularly pleased about the products being much less processed and full of additives than many other similar things on the market (eg cheese strings), so nutritionally I'd be very happy to feed them to my three year old. Quite a lot of packaging though, so environmental concerns, and amount of packaging gave the impression there was more content than there actually was.

Unlike quite a lot of people on the original thread, I like the name Chedds!

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

Bricks ? I could just cut up some cheese myself, so not sure the bricks had added value to me. But good size for my three year old. Very difficult for either DH or me to open the little packets and impossible for the three year old. This would be a major disincentive to buy them. Cheese tasted fairly bland and salty, and was also a bit rubbery (we usually buy mature or extra mature) but at least it was 100% cheese, not processed.

Cheese and toasties: nice idea. Nice to have carbohydrates and protein ? a more varied kind of snack. Nice to eat them together. Seemed like lots of packaging but at least easy to open. The toasts tasted too sweet to me ? I?d have preferred something more savoury tasting.

Nibbles: very nice for a small child. Fun and easy to eat. Unlike the bricks, I?d be much less likely to cut up cheese into lots of little pieces so more likely to buy this format.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

To be honest I probably wouldn?t actually buy them for three reasons: excessive amount of packaging (compared to putting some cheese in a reusable little tupperware), almost certainly likely to be more expensive than I?d be willing to pay (considering I could just cut up little bricks if I wanted to give my daughter a snack, or give her breadsticks and cheese) and I prefer the taste of more mature cheese. I think the novelty of the formats wouldn?t be enough to make me want to buy them, especially as I have no problem getting my daughter to eat cheese in the ?normal? format (ie just a slice of cheese!).

If I was going to buy them, I?d buy them for my daughter, not me, and use them as snacks to take when we were out and about (ie not snacks in the house).

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

She liked them all. She didn?t have a preference ? since she likes cheese, and they all involved cheese, she was very happy to eat each type of product. She asked a couple of times during the days we ate them ?can I have another cheese snack??. She would definitely finish each portion whenever she was offered them.

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

She liked all of them and didn?t express a preference even when asked. I think she was perfectly happy with the taste since she always finished up the portion given!

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?

She didn?t really notice the packaging or the character. Even when I asked her about them she didn?t express any view (positive or negative). She was a bit too young for the facts and the jokes, but them she is probably younger than the target market.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not

See answer to Q3 above.

Thanks for sending them!

[Lotstodo]

Daughter aged 10 years old.

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

The packaging was very eye catching and it was obvious who the product was made by because of this. The packaging was convenient to store and handy to eat on the go or to put in a lunch box.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

The small packs of Nibbles and Bricks were nice and my daughter enjoyed these as a healthy, quick snack. She especially enjoyed the Cheese and Toasties and there appeared to be a good equal amount. These were also convenient to eat on the go as snack and also good for a school lunch box.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

I would probably buy these for my daughter's lunch box and also as a convenient healthy snack for a picnic. I may buy them for myself for my work lunch to eat with apple or grapes.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

My daughter loved the packaging. She was also impressed with all formats of Chedds. It is another way to eat healthy snacks and the she enjoyed all the variations.

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

She liked the Cheese and Toasties best. She thought they were all nice but the Nibbles were a bit fiddly.

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?

She enjoyed reading the packets - especially the facts.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?

I am sure would buy them as the cheese is lovely and it is a healthy, natural product and fun for children to eat. Another lunch box alternative. When shopping, I am sure the packaging would be easy to spot and could be placed in a prominent place during promotions. Also, if the cheeses were given names and turned into characters they would appeal to very young children and get them eating it.

Thank you for letting my daughter test them.

[magnolia74]

Tried out on daughter 8 and son 4

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

Good ideas and tasty

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks
The toasties were fab, a bit messy for kids but tasted great :)
The nibbles were a bit small and a few got dropped
The bricks were great and the kids loved them

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
The toasties for us adults as well as the kids, the nibbles we wouldn't but, the bricks for the kids packed lunch

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
They loved them :)

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

They loved the toasties but made quite a bit of mess!
They did like the nibbles but found the packet hard to open and the size of the cheese too small.
The bricks went down great and they were the kids fave!!
They rated the taste as better than what we buy now

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
To be honest they didn't take much notice

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Yes if they were priced competitively

[brownmia]

I tried these with DD's ages 5 & 3

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
They looked fun, certainly appealing to children, great alternative to other packaged snacks - caused as much excitement as a bag of Haribos! Not clear if it was British cheddar (only buy British), think it may have been EU. Some concerns over the excessive packaging of the 'Cheese and Toasties'.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks
Nibbles GREAT, Bricks not very original but OK, Toasties reminded me of airplane cheese and crackers, but 5yo enjoyed them.


Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
Def one for the kids only, too mild for my tastes - lunchboxes, picnics, after school snacks, parties...

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
They loved them! Most of the appeal being in small packets I think - certainly wouldn't get the same reaction if I handed them a bowl of cubed cheese or a 'brick' in cling film!

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?
The favourite was def the Nibbles, like a little bag of sweets, both managed to open them themselves which is a def must for lunchboxes. Then the Bricks which were un-openable by both children, but enjoyed them all the same. Then the Toasties, although the 3yo didn't like the 'toast' and the 5yo was a bit disappointed half of the toast was broken...5yo could open but 3yo couldn't.
Lots of appreciative Mmmmm's and was told it was really yummy and creamy. We would normally eat a more mature cheddar which may have been part of the Chedds appeal.

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
Didn't notice TBH - maybe a bit young but am sure would appeal to the older ones.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Depending on the price of course, could see us purchasing the Nibbles frequently. Less likely for the Bricks as there are lots of other 'Brick' type products in the supermarket which we do buy from time to time. Even less likely for the Toasties, in fact not at all - the packaging just seemed excessive - a cardboard outer, 3 plastic tubs with foil lid and then a further foil packet within...could def do better I think.
But overall a good concept, could do with some tweaking on the packaging to make it a little more child friendly.

[Vajazzler]

My testers were aged 8,6,5,4,and 21months!

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
Everything looked great and looked like it belonged to the cathedral city brand.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks
I personally found that the cheese toasties didnt taste like there was cheese involved as the toast flavour overpowered the thin slice of cheese. I did like the little nibbles as a choice for my littlest dc as he loves small things like raisins and cheerios so these would be great for him.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
I would buy the nibbles for my youngest dc and might consider the toasties as an occasional possible sandwich alternative for school lunchbags

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
They scoffed the lot in one go!!

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?
The older ones liked the toasties best because they liked stacking them. They liked the bricks least but only because they are similar to other cheese snacks that are available

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
They didnt notice them.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
I would definitely buy the nibbles for the smallest dc as they would be an excellent snack choice for him. I would consider the toasties for occasional lunchboxes if the price was right.

[sybilfaulty]

Thanks for letting us test these - they were yummers! Huge hit with all 3 children (6,4,2) and with me.

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

good concepts, proper cheese is so much better than Dairylea lunchables or cheese strings (which are proper I thnk, they just look and taste horrid!), struggled with the packaging a bit and think that this needs work before I could put them in a lunchbox as there is no one to help at school.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

Toasties - I loved them. DD (6) could manage the foil, but DD(4) could not. Good combo of sweetish toast and salty cheese.

Nibbles - all children liked, but the younger 2 could not open packets and DD1 opened it so energetically that most fell on the floor (we still ate them though!)

Bricks - loved them, but I did all the opening as no one could manage it.l

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

Assuming the packaging were improved - I probably would buy the toasts for after shcool snack or lunchbox. Bricks I liked but would probably buy the big packet of cheese and wrap my own. Unlikely to buy the nibbles, although they were nice.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

Once they had got into the packet, all of them liked all of the products. The toasts have been requested again. They quite often have cheese and crackers for snack so, as I did the opening and handed them the cheese, they have not asked for them.

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

Mine like strong cheese and these were quite good. Best - toasties. Worst - nibbles, but only becuase they went on the floor and they are just a small version of what we often have.

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?

I am afraid to say that they did not really comment on them, positively or negatively. Too eager for the food!

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?

Would definitely buy the toasts, but more likely to buy a block of cheese than the other two.

Thanks.

[Stinkyfeet]

Testers: ds1 (8) and ds2 (5), and me!

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

The cheese and toasts were something different; the others, just cheese! Like most others we all found the packaging difficult to open.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

Cheese and toasties were unexpectedly nice. The bricks and nibbles, apart from convenience, I don't really 'get it' - it's just cheese. I can't see myself buying these rather than just cutting a chunk off a large block.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

Don't think I'd buy them unless they were on special offer making them cheaper, or possibly equivalent, to buying a large block.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

Frustrated because they couldn't open them. They liked the novelty value of them.

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

Ds2 liked the cheeses and toasts, ds1 liked the bricks.

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?

They didn't have much of an opinion about the character, but liked the jokes and facts.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?

Probably not, unless they were very cheap. They're quite gimmicky and I don't tend to buy this sort of thing.

[hester]

Thanks for the opportunity to test these. The testers were me (cheese freak), dd1 (rising 6; normally a cheese hater); dd2 (rising 2, another cheese freak). The girls enjoyed sitting down at the 'testing panel', with the products laid out in front of them. I interviewed them in a funny voice.

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

I'm not a great fan of gimmicky food, but always open to opportunities to opportunities to get my fussy daughter to eat a wider range of foods.

The packaging on the Bricks and Nibbles were difficult to open. When I finally tore the Nibbles open, they fell all over the floor.

Q2 What did you think about the different formats available? e.g. Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

I thought the Bricks were useful for when I want a bit of cheese but daren't risk the temptation of getting a block out of the fridge - good for just a little taste, but I certainly wouldn't eat it in preference to my usual (extra mature) cheddar.

The Nibbles I liked least (strange smell on opening the packet, and pieces too small to get proper mouth satisfaction) but I can see they'd be popular with children.

The Cheese and Toasties were ok.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you use it yourself or keep it for the children?

I wouldn't buy it for myself; I would buy it as a lunchbox product or if I thought it was a way of getting dd1 to eat cheese.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

dd1 doesn't usually like cheese, but she said she loved Chedds. She wasn't interested in the Bricks, but she really liked the Cheese and Toasties and she said she LOVED the Nibbles (though she too noticed the smell - "Why do they smell of poo?" - as the packet was opened).

dd2 loves cheese, though prefers a strong flavour (her favourite is M&S Cheddar with Chilli). She liked all three products.

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? e.g. Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like and best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

dd1 definitely liked Nibbles best, and finished the whole packet which is astonishing for her. She also enjoyed making a sandwich with the Cheese and Toasties. She was completely uninterested in the Bricks.

dd2 just wanted to eat the cheese.

Q6 What did your children think about the character, facts and the jokes on the packets?

They didn't notice them until I pointed them out. dd1 liked the jokes, but I can't say it was a big deal for either of them.

Q7 Lastly, do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?

I would buy the Nibbles, as the children liked them so much. I might buy the Cheese and Toasties for a lunchbox, but not frequently. If there were bricks around I'd eat them, but I wouldn't buy them for myself.

[downbutnotout]

My daughter is 7 and my son (2.5) has just decided he doesn?t like cheese, so was unfortunately excluded from testing.

Q1. The actual product tastes great and the packaging looks good. The name is really awful though. It puts me in mind of something that might appear in Roger Mellie?s Profanisaurus as a synonym for dangleberries.

Q2. The formats are good and a handy size for snacks and lunchboxes. I was very sceptical about the Toasties but found them really tasty and would consider taking them to work for a snack. The packaging needs work though. The inner packet containing the melba toast was too difficult for my daughter to open on her own and no-one could get into the bricks without scissors. This factor would make me reluctant to put them in a lunchbox as matters stand.

Q3. As above think they would be good for lunchboxes and snacks for myself and the children.

Q4. My daughter really liked them as she loves cheese and enjoyed having them in her lunchbox.

Q5. Her favourite was the Nibbles, I think she thinks they?re cute. The other two were joint second but she?s quite keen on them all. She likes the taste a lot.

Q6. She didn?t really notice the packaging very much, she was in too much of a hurry to get at the cheese.

Q7. Yes, provided the price is right. I think they would make a welcome change and are a little bit different to other products currently available aimed at children.

[CliniqueMum]

Age of child was 3 years old and DH/I also tried the products.

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

I liked the coolbox they arrived in. I had expected the products to be more novelty items (like the biscuits/cheese one) rather than two of the products just literally being cheese. However I was quite pleased they were just the natural ingredients.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

The cheese and toasties was a massive container (and quite unenvironmentally friendly) given the size of the contents. The brick I would be unlikely to buy as I could easily cut my own from a block of cheese and the nibbles I would be slightly worried about choking on a younger child. I found the packets for the bricks and nibbles difficult to open so my 3 year old son stood no chance.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

I would possibly buy the nibbles as my son liked them although generally he left the last bit of the packet as there was a lot of them. I would use them if we went out. None of us liked the biscuits so wouldn't buy that product (would be far nicer as a couple of crackers with bigger slices of cheese and less packaging) or would bother with the blocks of cheese.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

He just asked for the cheese rather than the name.

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

See question 3 but the nibbles were definately the preferred option and the toasties a no. The taste was rated good (but he does like cheese).

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?

My son didn't take any notice of these.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why

Possibly the nibbles if we were having a few days out but would depend on the price/quantity I had to purchase.

[ZephirineDrouhin]

Testers me, dp and dd aged 5 and three quarters

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
Good for lunch boxes and day trips, but packaging on the bricks tricky to open.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks
Liked them. Would be more inclined to use nibbles or bricks for lunchboxes, and cheese and toasties for days out

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
Might buy for lunch boxes. Would not intentionally eat it myself but could happen.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
dd liked them all very much and generally found them more exciting than regular cheese

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?
Dd liked all the formats, although felt the nibbles should be "a tiny bit bigger". She particularly liked the Cheese and Toasties, although she suggested that ham would make them even more worthwhile

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
Didn't notice at first. A bit underwhelmed by the jokes. I liked the jokes and facts though as they were good for encouraging dd to do some reading

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Yes if not too expensive, although have would have qualms about buying on a regular basis because of the wastefulness of the packaging, especially the toasties.

[snickerdoodle]

Product testers: DD age 6 1/2 and me (thirty something)

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
Overall, we were very pleased with the cheese. It has a nice flavour and the different shapes and toasties made it unique. The only thing we didn't like was the packaging. The bricks were very tricky to open and the cheese and toasties had too much packaging for what was inside. A smaller divided tray would have been better with a single tear off lid. The toasties wrapper inside was also very hard to open.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks?
I thought they were all great. I ate most of the bricks and left the others for my daughter.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
I would buy these for after school snacks when we are out and about. They are easy to grab from the fridge when rushing out the door. I would try to save them for my daughter but they're quite good...

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
My daughter loved them!

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?
My daughter thought the cheese and toasties were the best! She loved making them up. Next best were the nibbles because they were fun to eat.

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
Once I pointed them out to her, she was curious to see them, but the cheese was the main draw.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Yes, we'll definitely buy them, price dependent. I thought they were a good healthy snack.

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to try them!

[bestbefore]

DD aged 8 - cheese mistress DS aged 5 - loves 'orange cheese' aka red leicester the best

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
Quite good - loved the cool bag and thought the packs were eye catching as not yellow or blue like many other brands.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks
Nibbles were my DDs fav followed by bricks. Toasties least fav - not too keen on the melba toast.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
Would buy nibbles for nibblying needs eg school hols with picnics everyday

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
Liked all bar the toasties really. Found packs ok to open and we thought the toasties were overpacked.

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?
Likes the taste and as stated the nibbles were the best in our household, followed by bricks.

Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
My DS loved them - he got his sister to read the facts to him and laughed!

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Yes - definitely for picnics, always like to have some snack cheese for them

thanks.

[SE13Mummy]

Product testers: DDs aged 6 1/2 and 2

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?
My girls both liked the look of the packets that the products came in. DH liked that, "it looks like proper Cathedral City cheese which is encouraging". It was hard to open all three of the products which was disappointing.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks?
The bricks seemed a bit pointless given that I could have cut a chunk of cheese/could easily buy a variety pack of similarly sized cheese in the supermarket. The nibbles are a great idea but DD2 could have done with them being slightly larger. C&T work well.


Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
For packed lunches, picnics or maybe long car journeys.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
They ate them quite happily!

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?
The bricks went down particularly well with DD2 (aged 2), the cheese & toasties were the favourite for DD1.

Q6 What did your children think about the character, facts and the jokes on the packets?
DD1 noticed them and commented on the facts whereas DD2 was far more interested in the mouse. Were we to see them in the supermarket I think they would both be keen to have them as they like things in small packets.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Possibly, it will depend upon the price though. I'm most likely to buy the nibbles but the packaging will have to be made easier to open.

[kasbah72]

DC are 6 and 4

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

They fitted in with the Cathedral City branding so I would notice them on the shelf. The packaging was ridiculously difficult for kids to open alone (apart from the nibbles bag) and that puts me off buying them for lunches.

Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks

I thought the nibbles were really too tiny and annoying but both of my kids really really liked them in their packed lunches.

Cheese and Toasties is a nice alternative to the dipping cheese and breadsticks that are already on the market. Unfortunately, the packaging was too complicated, too difficult for my kids to open and therefore only useful at home with an adult.

I always have a stock of the cathedral city single portion cheeses for myself and the kids often have sticks of cheese or cheese strings so we were used to the concept. This product tasted good but there was no perforation on the side of the packet and so it was virtually impossible for us to open.

Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?

I would mostly buy these products for packed lunches and snack opportunities. I would definitely steal the bricks but the nibbles are too fiddly!

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?

They very much liked the taste but then they are familiar with the large blocks of Cathedral City anyway. The love cheese and enjoyed trying out new ways to eat cheese!

Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?

They both enjoyed making mini cheese toasties but their favourite was definitely the nibbles. They could open that packet without any fuss which also influenced their opinions. The blocks were impossible for them to open and the toasties were just a bit of a faff.


Q6 What did your children think about the character, facts and the jokes on the packets?

They didn't mention the character until I pointed it out and then they thought he looked 'cute'. They always like silly things to read on packets.

Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?

I would definitely buy the nibbles because they were a huge hit with the kids and very handy for packed lunches and snacks. I would probably buy the toasties every so often for a change but I feel weird about the sheer volume of packaging. I love the idea of the bricks but they were ridiculously difficult to open and therefore I would stick to buying the original version instead.

[MayDayChild]

Tested by DD age 4 and DS age 13 months

Q1 What your overall impressions were of the products?

I was excited about a proper cheese product that was in novelty packaging. We eat a LOT of cheese in our house but I do not buy the novelty stuff like cheese strings and snackables as they look too plastic.
The colour of the packaging is very plain but obviously in keeping with Cathedral City. It?s really not very exciting for the children though.
I don't understand several things about the product;
What age child is it aimed at with regards to portion size, packaging, facts on the packet and the image of the mouse?
As most children can begin to free read at age 6, are the products not aimed at children under 6 or are parents supposed to read the facts (bit 'boy' based for my DD). So in my opinion, the facts are a bit pointless if the product is aimed at under 6. If over 6, I don?t think the portion size is big enough.
It is nigh on impossible for a child to open any of the packaging, most of all the bricks.
The nibbles bag is all the wrong way around. Once you manage to tear the packet across from top to bottom as directed, the bag is the wrong way around for little hands to dip into, too narrow for the hand to go in and far too deep to reach the cheese! I cut the bags open with scissors across the top horizontally and that was perfect. Put the tear strip on the left and right ends, not the top and bottom!
In general, I don't understand the mouse. He is a bit linear in design and dull in colour. He looks angry not friendly. Why does he only do 'boy' activities such as skateboarding? Can the mouse be a dress up mouse with activities appealing to both sexes ? astronauts, cowboys, fairies & princesses?
The external packaging seems vast and takes up too much room in the fridge. Can you slim it way down?
The quantities inside the packets seem odd. There are 5 school days a week so if this is for pack lunch, 5 items in a packet please! Though, as I said, I think they are a bit small portion size wise for pack lunches so perhaps I?m not really fussed!
They all seem really healthy and I am happy to give out cheese daily as a snack. The cheese & toasties seems (just by appearances) to be healthier than the dairylea ones.
Q2 What did you think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks
I love the Nibbles. The kids absolutely LOVED the nibbles. Can you do these in a giant adult pack for cooking please but in mature strength of course!?
The Cheese & T were great and my DD totally interacted with these, making up stories about mice as she ate them.
I really don?t understand the point of the bricks. We will stick with cutting a chunk off the block or Babybel as its got interaction with the wax. But what about Mousehole shaped cheese? Could you change the bricks into Mouseholes? Like in Tom and Jerry??
Q3 When do you think you'd buy or use this product? Would you eat it youself or keep it for the children?
I would buy the Nibbles for daily snacks and packed lunch and the Cheese & T as a treat.
I wouldn?t eat it myself.

Q4 What did your children think about Chedds?
DS aged 1 was thrilled with Nibbles, he has seen his big Sister eat a packet of Crisps so he thinks he is quite the grown up with his own bag.
DD aged 4 loved Nibbles and Cheese & T, which she played make-believe that she was a mouse but then asked if real mice could actually eat cheese on toast. We had a good giggle.
I actually had already had some Chedds at home because your PR department came to my Publishing Company. Both children were ecstatic to see the products back in the fridge and straight away begged for them!
Q5 What did they think about the formats available? eg Cheese and Toasties, Nibbles and Bricks - which did they like the best? Which was the worst and why? How would they rate the taste of the product?
They could tolerate a stronger flavour. Much stronger!
They ate all of the different products, but I wouldn?t buy bricks ? there is no interaction for my children and they actually didn?t finish a brick once started as I think they got bored in comparison to the others.
DS was impressed by holding his own bag of treats and DD played with her food in a good way!
Q6 What did your children think about the charater, facts and the jokes on the packets?
They cannot access these as they are too young, and DD is not at all interested in the ?boy? based facts or pictures.
Q7 Lastly do you think you'd be likely to buy Chedds again? Why? Why not?
Yes, but please sort out the packaging!

[moonbells]

On reflection, I think that a having small pack of 5-6 cheese slices (such as are already in the toasties) would be better than the brick. My son dearly loves cheese slices; this morning we were trying to finish off the bricks (all the rest are long gone) but he wouldn't touch them until I'd sliced them into something a lot thinner.

[pengymum]

Yes pack of slices would be convenient as I can't get thin even slices without crumbling and easy for lunchboxes. The kids can ring the changes with diff crackers etc. My littlest one loves slices of apple and cheese and stacking them up.
I like the bricks as they are good way to portion control (am on diet!) and left to myself, a portion would be about twice the size!
But needs thinner plastic for packaging as is hard to open particularly for child.
Maybe a net type of bag for outer rather than the big plastic one?