C'est raclette oui ou non?

Raclette is a specialty that comes from France/Switzerland. At Borough Market they sell raclette (see pics)and for £5 you get a plate of potatoes with the melted milky traditional cheese on top -served with a gherkin (pickle) or two.

I went to a few parties where raclette was served and at these parties the cheese was ladled over cured and cooked meats - like ham, chicken, beef, fish along with all types of vegetables like onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and more... in addition to roasted potatoes.

At work on Friday, British members of the team were baffled at the cost and desire for raclette as they argued, 'Isn't it just jacket potato and cheese?' which is standard British fare that you can get on any corner for £2 for double the portion. I never thought of it that way and laughed...I actually agree and think that stall is puling a fast one on visitors. It is essentially baked potatoes (cut up into cubes) and cheese.

At least they scrape the cheese from the large traditional cheese wheel. To scrape is where the word raclette comes from...but they give you nothing else?! The guy even sells olives on the side. Maybe a piece of crusty bread would be nice? For £5 that is a lot to pay for a French version of jacket potatoes and cheese, non?

Am sure the French man who wears his fancy apron and speaks in his French accent is scratching or scraping his head all the way to the bank in wonder how people would pay that much for some cheese and potatoes!

Pic of a traditional raclette spread.