Some of the best imported products are available in the food and beverage outlets in Shanghai's five-star hotels and for lovers of cheese there is a wide selection from some of the world's great producers.

Both the Sofitel Shanghai Hyland in the heart of downtown Shanghai and the newly opened Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park have European chefs with a keen eye for picking some great cheeses.

With extensive cheese offerings on their buffets and cheese promotions throughout the year, these hotels offer the chance to sample a range of cheeses from across Europe.

With its French flair for gastronomy, the Sofitel has one of the best cheese selections in town.

The Sofitel has a long-standing partnership with renowned French cheese maker and supplier Phillipe Olivier who offers a wide array of classic traditional French and European cheese varieties.

The Olivier family has been making cheeses since 1907 and this respected master in cheese-making was elected best cheese seller, winning the prestigious Rabelais Trophy in 1996 and again in 2005.

His collection of cheeses includes traditional cheese varieties that he has resurrected, including modern interpretations of the northern French "Bergues" and the Southern French "Bethmale" varieties.