The Welsh Rabbit Cheese ShopLogo Design Contest

We sell artisan and farmstead cheeses and complimentary lines such as charcuteries, crackers, chocolate and olives. We also have a few tables where customers can order cheese flights (a plate with 3-6 different varieties of cheeses) that can be accompanied by wine or beer to add another layer of enjoyment for the customer.

No bright colors (yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue).
Earthy colors, muted. Greens, browns, creams, whites, black, red.
Would like logo to look good gray scale as well.

Our original concept which brought inspiration to us was two things:
1. The Welsh Rabbit, which is a recipe that dates back to the 1400’s and whose primary ingredients are cheese and beer. Our city has a huge micro-brew culture. The recipe also harkens back to the sustaining nature of cheese to farmers and those who live close to the earth, and not necessarily to that food item that has become so revered as to be intimidating and inaccessible to the everyday person. The recipe name is in itself whimsical, and a bit tongue in cheek (there is no actual rabbit!).
2. Rabbit on Vespa. Taking on the animal from the recipe name gives us a character on which to build a brand. Placing the rabbit on a Vespa, brings in the whimsy which we are using to offset the intimidation that often accompanies the desire to purchase or know more about cheese. The Vespa also communicates a certain “slowness” and enjoyment of life’s journey…as if the rabbit is riding through the countryside to enjoy an evening’s meal and conversation with friends.

We (the shop owners) are people who enjoy good, simple and rustic meals. We are very warm, inviting, and “let’s do this together!” type of folks. When you walk into our shop it will be a cross between a bistro and “shoppe”, you will be greeted by name, made to feel like you are our best customer, and will be brought into a collaborative learning experience about cheese (and related offerings) and all the ways that it can enjoyed in our day to day lives and interactions with friends.

We want our Logo to communicate:
Gourmet yet Simple
Sophisticated yet whimsical
Enjoyment of life

We do not want our logo to communicate:
A diner
A delivery service
To be cartoonish

We believe an integral part of a good logo is the typeface/font. While we don’t have a clear picture of what this will look like we definitely do not like blocky. We also want to be sure “The Welsh Rabbit” is included in the logo.