Irish winners at biggest and best cheese show in the world

Irish processors and co-ops, and their UK subsidiaries, were among the winners at the International Cheese Awards at Nantwich in England, rated the biggest and best cheese show in the world, with 5,000 cheese and dairy produce entries from 27 countries.

Carbery Group won 17 awards, with the DSM Trophy for the best Single Vintage Cheddar underlining the company’s reputation as a producer of high quality cheeses.

Winning three gold medal awards in the Vintage Cheese, Extra Mature Cheddar and Light Cheese categories was also particularly noteworthy for Carbery’s cheese facility in Ballineen, one of the largest cheese-producing facilities in Ireland. The plant produces almost 25% of Ireland’s cheddar cheese output.

There were also big trophy wins for Ornua and its UK subsidiaries, Northern Ireland’s Dale Farm Ltd, and Glanbia Ingredients.

However, the star of the show was Treur Kaas of the Netherlands, Champion Overseas, Supreme Champion and winner of the Westminster Cup 2016 for their aged Jerseyhoeve Schorren.

The Kerrygold Trophy for the best Irish Cheddar went to Northern Ireland’s Dale Farm Ltd.

The Co-operative Food Award went to Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Limited for the Best Mature Cheddar.

The DSM Cup went to Ornua Co-operative Ltd for the best Mild Cheddar.

The DSM Trophy presented by DSM Food Specialities went to Carbery Group for the best Single Vintage Cheddar.

The Tetra Pak Tebel Award for the best Extra Mature Cheddar went to First Milk Haverfordwest-Ornua Foods UK. The Tesco Red Leicester Trophy for the Champion Red Leicester Cheese also went to First Milk Haverfordwest-Ornua Foods UK.

The Orchard Valley Dairy Supplies Trophy for the best UK soft/semi-soft/cream cheese went to Dale Farm Ltd.