Smiles galore as farmhouse cheese takes top prize
It was chosen supreme overall champion in the international cheese awards at what is Ireland’s only international food, drink and hospitality exhibition.
Durrus was also declared the Irish Farmhouse Cheese Maker of the Year and won a class in the same category on the second day of the three day event.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Jeffa Gill, who started Durrus Cheese in 1979 with a pan on her kitchen table and milk from six cows. Yesterday, the Durrus product triumphed over almost 200 entries which revealed diversity and quality in 19 competition classes.
It was the first time a farmhouse cheese took the supreme award.
Jeffa Gill said it was a privilege to win awards for Irish farmhouse cheese because the standards are exceptionally good. The products are getting a lot of recognition abroad.
Having sold her own cows in 1990, her main milk supplier now is Corney Buckley, Aughaville, Bantry. She also praised the contribution of her dairy team at Coomkeen, Durrus. A gold medal winner at the recent world cheese awards in London, the award-winning product is exported to Britain and the United States and also to outlets in Denmark and Japan.
The appeal of yesterday’s awards was the competition between the small cottage based producers, large commercial creameries and importers.
Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan congratulated the award winners and said the occasion was a celebration of good food and drink products that are appreciated and enjoyed locally and globally.
The IFEX 19 categories had been broadened to cover the key sectors of the industry and are designed to recognise originality, excellence and innovation.
“They epitomise the holistic nature of the modern food and drinks industry from consumer to farm and how strategic marketing and an understanding of emerging consumer trends are essential to success.”
Ms Coughlan said sight of the consumer must never be lost. Those who anticipate consumer demands for food safety and quality, harmony with environmental and welfare concerns, and of course, value for money will continue to flourish.
Among the visitors to the LEADER food village was Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuiv.
