Winners Of British Cheese Awards Announced

There was a nervous hush of anticipation across the auditorium of the National Museum of Wales as the winners of this year’s British Cheese Awards were each announced in Cardiff tonight. Who would win one of the 23 prestigious Awards? And who would walk away with the coveted title of Supreme Champion?

The nail biting is now over and we can announce that Golden Cenarth from cheese-makers Caws Cenarth in Wales has been voted Supreme Champion 2010. This will no doubt have the home crowd singing in the valleys especially when they find out that this delightful semi-soft washed rind cheese actually won a hat-trick of awards scooping ‘Best Welsh’ and ‘Best Semi-Soft Cheese’ along with their Supreme Champion.

However the night didn’t only belong to the Welsh there was a wide geographical mix with ‘Best of’ awards and medals being awarded to Irish, English and Scottish cheese-makers.

Top of the cheddar makers was J A & E Montgomery of Somerset whose traditionally made Extra Mature Cheddar has won Best Cheddar for the 3rd time. Two Hoots Cheese from Berkshire certainly weren’t singing the blues either when they picked up ‘Best Blue Cheese’ for their Loddon Blewe a ewes milk cheese with spicy blueness and the sweetness of caramelised onions. No strangers to success having won Best Blue and Supreme in 2008 with their Barkham Blue.

Other stars of the show (and a full list is attached of them all) included Dorstone by Neal’s Yard Dairy who won ‘Best Fresh Cheese’ , Connage Dunlop by Connage Highland Dairy who picked up both ‘Best Scottish Cheese’ and ‘Best Traditional Cheese’ and newcomers Churchmouse Cheeses who picked up ‘Best New Cheese’ with their small camembert style ewes milk cheese Bright Blessed Crest.

Now in its 17th year the British Cheese Awards is a shot in the arm for the British Cheese Industry and applauds the work of major producers and one man bands alike. None of this would be possible however without the sponsors which include distributors, retailers and cheese industry players including Marks & Spencers the major sponsor of supreme Champion as well as Tesco, Asda, The cheese Shop Chester and on-line retailer Pong Cheese to name a few.
In total some 315 medals were awarded with 149 gold winners, 100 silver and 66 bronze [Export cheeses were judged this morning so the overall number of medals is still not known] all going to confirm that British cheese is better than it has ever been before in terms of both range and quality.

Source: The British Cheese Awards