The Menu: Lifetime Achievement Award for Veronica Steele at Irish Cheese Awards

Of all the fine foodstuffs produced on this green isle, The Menu finds it hard to look past our splendid farmhouse cheeses and so was delighted to see the Irish Cheese Awards finally afforded an occasion worthy of acknowledging that particular sector’s contribution to Irish food at a most splendid night at Ballymaloe. 

With 36 cheesemakers honoured, the Supreme Champion award went to the excellent Mount Leinster Clothbound by Coolattin Cheddar, also a gold medal winner for Best Cow’s Milk Cheese, while Cork winners on the night included: Ardsallagh, Coolea, Macroom Buffalo Cheese, Fermoy Natural Cheese, Durrus Cheese, and Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella.

But The Menu took most personal satisfaction in the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Veronica Steele, creator of Milleen’s Cheese, one of the finest cheeses to be found anywhere in the world and the foundation of the modern Irish food producer movement. www.irishcheese.ie