Chef and nutritionist Abigail Martinez founded saycheaseuk during lockdown in 2020.

Marilyn's Selection chease

The plant-based cheese business was born out of Abigail's love of cheese and healthy eating, as well as a change to her lifestyle.

Abigail said: "I switched to a vegan diet because I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I was really interested in to know more about it as a person who has Crohn's.

Abigail Martinez, founder of saycheaseuk

"After I changed my diet I started to feel like myself and began thinking 'I can have a normal life' without any treatments and visits to the doctors every few months. This diet has changed my life.

"I have always been a lover of cheese and it is one of the greatest pleasures for me. A lot of cheeses are full of ingredients such as coconut oils and salt, which is not really good for you.

"So, I started making my own cheeses, which were absolutely delicious for me as a cheese lover. When I started making my own cheese I gave some to friends and people who were vegan and I got really good feedback from them.

Smoked Tomato chease

"All of this started last year when I was in quarantine and I officially opened the shop in October.

"I want to make a healthy option for those people who love to enjoy good cheese, which ties into my passion for healthy eating."

Abigail's 'cheases' are made in a similar manner to dairy cheese, but with "all the benefits of plants."

Dear Mediterranean chease

Some of the 'cheases' include Devil's Truffle, a truffle flavoured 'chease' and Volcano, a spicy cashew and almond cheese, amongst many more.

The main base composition of the 'cheases' is 88.9 per cent nuts, 71.1 per cent cashews and 17.8 per cent almonds.

Abigail said: "They are prepared by squeezing the nuts, then cultured and they are aged in chambers for weeks, achieving a natural cheese flavour. In the meantime, I turn 'cheases' every day because they need to breathe.

Devil's Truffle chease

"It is free of lactose, gluten, preservatives and artificial flavours. It is a fermented food; it has live bacteria that offer us a protective barrier against pathogens and toxins, in addition to improving our digestions and making them lighter.

"I work very hard on the packaging, making sure all of it is 100 per cent recyclable."

The business' involvement in the community is also extremely important to Abigail, and an aspect of the business she really loves.

She said: "By selling to the local community I have had a good response, which I completely love. I have really nice people as customers who order weekly and for parties or events.

Hickory Wonder chease

"I am so grateful for my customers and I have no words to express how grateful I really am."

Abigail offers local delivery every Saturday and a pick-up option.

saycheaseuk will be in its first market on Sunday, September 12 from 10.30am to 3.30pm at Bobby’s & Co in Bournemouth with South Coast Makers Market.

To find out more, visit: https://saycheaseuk.com/home

To nominate your favourite business for Trader of the Week, click below or email maya.george@bournemouthecho.co.uk