Another successful Cheese Awards
Judges tasting cheese on trade day at the Nantwich Awards
The 26th and 27th July saw this year’s International Cheese Awards, which has been running since 1897. There were over 5000 cheese and dairy produce entries, from 27 different countries, which really shows the true success of the show and its ability to expand year-on-year.
One of the cows taking part in the British Beef Championship, representing the British Blues category
On trade day, the Tuesday, more than 260 judges judged more than 340 classes (including 80 retailer classes to decide who would be achieving gold, silver and bronze awards. There were 9 supreme cheese judges, all with years of experience in the dairy industry. Trade day gives the perfect opportunity to network with others in the industry, which can lead to gaining new customers and partnerships.
Smooth Blue cheese has a beautiful creamy flavour and texture which is balanced with a gentle blue character
On the Wednesday, the cheese tent was incorporated into the hugely successful Nantwich agricultural show featuring 450 trade stands, marquees, cattle displays, vintage cars and other demonstrations. One ring display of particular attention was the Nickerson Supreme Beef Championship of the North West, which attracted a large crowd of spectators. The championship was certainly an interesting watch with the individual winners of each breed category being judged by the 8 other breed judges, who gave scores out of 10.
Our Blue Stilton is said to have a smooth Creamy texture, even veining and good depth of lasting flavour
Wednesday’s weather was good which meant that business was steady, however it got particularly busy around lunch time. As predicted, our multi award winning Blue Stilton was the first to sell out – we even had to cut up some whole cheeses in order to supply the demand! The Shropshire Blue quickly followed suit and by 4 o’clock we had sold every last bit of cheese (no wonder they are winning so many awards!).
Our Aged Leicestershire Red is described as a well-presented cheese with caramel notes and is full of character
And now on to the awards… This year we came home with 5 Golds, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze and One Highly Commended. We also gained one Gold medal in the retailer class with M&S. Detailed below is a full list of awards won:
- Whole Blue Stilton – Gold for Blue Stilton – JUDGES COMMENT: Smooth Creamy texture, even veining and good depth of lasting flavour!
- Speciality Cheese – Gold for Aged Leicestershire Red – JUDGES COMMENT: A well-presented cheese with caramel notes and full of character well done
- Vegetarian Cheese; Blue Cheese – Gold for Shropshire Blue
- Vegetarian Cheese; Soft Cheese – Gold for Smooth Blue
- Modern British Cheese – Gold for Smooth Blue – JUDGES COMMENT: Beautiful creamy flavour and texture with balanced gentle blue character. Superb!
- Retailer Class – Gold for Cornish Cove with Diablo Chilli for M&S
- Two Halves Standard Blue Stilton – Silver for Blue Stilton
- Two Halves Mature Blue Stilton – Silver for Mature Blue Stilton
- Two Halves Mature Blue Stilton – Bronze for Mature Blue Stilton
- Farmhouse/Traditional Cheese – Bronze for Aged Leicestershire Red
- Plain White Stilton – Bronze for White Stilton
- Best English Cheese – Highly Commended for Aged Leicestershire Red