What are the origins of the "Cheese Roll"? I saw it on our sports station and am mildly confused because I didn't see any cheese involved.

zbeckabee

New Zealand's: A cheese roll (occasionally known by the older name of Cheese roll-up) is a snack food similar to Welsh rarebit, but created by covering a slice of bread in a prepared filling comprised mainly of grated or sliced cheese, and then rolling it into a tube shape before toasting. Cheese rolls are a very popular food in the South Island of New Zealand, where they are commonly found as a menu item at cafeterias and similar food outlets. Early recipes for the food date from the 1930s, with the earliest being in New Zealand newspaper New Zealand Truth from 1935. Though known from this period, the popularity of the delicacy seems to have taken off with the widespread availability of sliced bread from the 1950s. Early recipes referred to the food under the seemingly disparaging name of "Rat traps", a play on the longstanding nickname of "Mouse traps" used for cheese on toast, but also likely a reference to the cylindrical shape, which was similar to commercial rodent traps of the era. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese_roll#History_of_the_cheese_roll May 27 09, 1:09 PM

rayven80

Thanks but this was some sort of contest in England that involved people rolling down a hill. May 27 09, 1:39 PM

ilikeguinness

Hope this anwsers your question. Dozens hurt in cheese roll race http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/gloucestershire/5027868.stm May 27 09, 1:49 PM

CapainNemo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper%27s_Hill_Cheese-Rolling_and_Wake Its a traditional "sporting" event. Someone rolls a circular hunk of cheese down a steep hill, and all the entrants chase it down the hill. First person to the bottom wins the cheese! Origins unknown: "Accurate information is hard to come by, but the tradition is at least 200 years old. Suggestions have been made that the event may either date back to Roman times or have been a pagan healing ritual, but there is no evidence for this." I've seen it on TV loads of times. Typically focusing on the injuries (which may or may not be hilarious). I have no idea why anyone would do it, the number of broken legs picked up is frightening. I'd love to know what the insurance companies think of it! May 27 09, 2:08 PM

ilikeguinness

This one is more updated http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/daily/photos/galleries/view/daily/20090525/browse/619176 May 27 09, 2:08 PM

zbeckabee

I think the New Zealand cheese roll looks like it would taste better! May 27 09, 3:33 PM

rayven80

Thanks everyone! May 28 09, 11:14 AM

Baloo55th

Some other cheese rollings use a wooden 'cheese'. I think there's one in the Preston area - or used to be. By the way, don't try it with Brie..... May 28 09, 11:22 AM