As part of its Christmas celebrations, Classified, Hong Kong’s premier cheese retailer, launced its first pop-up store at The Landmark. Located in the shopping centre’s first-basement floor, the Christmas-themed store will serve as a retail outlet, selling various Christmas goods from Classified Pantry, the brand’s own product range, and offering cheese and wine classes and tastings.

Shoppers will find a range of Classified’s famous cheese platters and wines for sale, as well as traditional seasonal goodies, including Christmas fruitcakes, mince pies, Stollen cakes and European-styled Lebkuchenherzen (heart-shaped gingerbread), all delivered fresh from Classified Pantry. Classified will also conduct 90-minute gourmet cheese and wine classes every Wednesday and Thursday evening at 6.30pm.

Until 22 December, Classified will hold classes on a variety of topics, allowing foodies to learn the art of cheese and wine pairing, indulge their passion for Pinot or warm up to winter cheeses. Each class is HK$220 and bookings can be made through the Landmark outlet.

Inspired by the European-style Christmas market, the storefront of the Landmark outlet will feature intricate artwork and collages from celebrated London-based illustrator Lynn Hatzius. Famous for her mixed-media collages and surreal images, Lynn has exhibited throughout Europe and her artwork graces the covers of novels by Salman Rushdie and Christie Watson.

“We’ve been following Lynn’s work for some time and waiting for an opportunity to work with her,” says Press Room Group co-founder Arnold Wong. “Since she’s originally from Germany, her illustrations draw on her childhood memories and capture the spirit of an authentic European Christmas market.”

While the central gingerbread house will enchant younger shoppers, adults can lift their Christmas spirits with a sampling of traditional vin chaud (mulled wine) or by browsing the delicious range of Christmas hampers on offer.

In the Christmas spirit of giving, Classified has teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a non-profit charity for children with life-threatening or serious medical conditions. Proceeds from every Make-A-Wish gingerbread star cookie sold will benefit the charity. Visitors also have the option to add a HK$10 donation to all purchases. In addition, Classified will host a magical Christmas party for five Make-a-Wish recipients and their parents.

Classified’s pop-up store will be open daily from 10.30am to 8pm from 4 November to 24 December. For more information on the wine and cheese classes, visit Classified’s website.

W: classifiedfoodshops.com.hk