NZ CHAMPIONS OF CHEESE MEDALS PROVE LOCAL CHEESE INDUSTRY EVOLVING
Monday 25 March 2019For Immediate ReleaseRussell quotes for champions release
General
“It isn’t really surprising that a Dutch-style cheeses would win, it's a reflection of the huge quality of these cheeses in New Zealand. Kiwis are fortunate to have a handful of brilliant cheesemakers here making these types of cheeses. I judge across the world and Dutch-style cheeses made in New Zealand are as good as anywhere in the world. The first year I judged in New Zealand I was absolutely blown-away by the quality of Dutch-styles cheeses here and I couldn’t stop talking about them.”
Mahoe
“This is an exceptional cheese.
Meyer
“It doesn’t come any better than this. This is a cheese you never want to finish - it’s just stunning. Its superbly made and offers beautiful sweet, nutty flavours.”
NZ Champion of Cheese Awards have awarded 223 medals to locally-made cheese, proving the quality of New Zealand continues to improve.
Organised by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association, the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards has been run since 2003. The Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal winners have been announced today, with the Gold Medal winners vying for one of 26 cheese trophies, which will be announced in Hamilton in May. All the New Zealand Champion of Cheese medal winners are on the NZSCA website.
NZSCA chair, Neil Willman said the panel of judges assessed the cheeses last month, awarding 97 gold medals, 99 silver medals and 27 bronze medals. He says the Association had reviewed entry criteria and the judging formula this year. However, even accounting for the changes in the judging process he said the judges all commented on the high standard of cheese being assessed.
His comments were supported by Master Judge Russell Smith of Australia who presided over the judging. Russell Smith said “the high quality of New Zealand-made cheese is obvious by the large number of medals awarded.”
While cheese across the board impressed, Russell Smith made special note of the Fresh Italian Cheese category, which was introduced to judging for the first time this year. “What was wonderful to see was that while well-known Italian favourites such as mozzarella, ricotta and mascarpone showed great cheesemaking technique so did other styles which are less familiar in New Zealand.. Not only was there a huge increase in the number of Italian style cheese entered in the competition, importantly the quality was excellent too. The judges had a challenge picking the winners because the Italian cheeses were new, exciting and well-made.”
Twenty-one cheese experts assessed more than 280 entries to find New Zealand’s top cheese. The Awards also welcomed the return of butter and yoghurt for judging and also 20 cheeses made by dedicated home cheesemakers.
Mr Willman made special mention of the Awards sponsors. “The NZ Champion of Cheese Awards wouldn’t be possible without the businesses which support our industry and we are grateful for their generous contributions”.
The NZ Champions of Cheese Trophies will be announced on Tuesday 21 May at a three-course gala dinner at the Distinction Hamilton Hotel and Conference Centre. The trophies are:
Countdown Champion of Champions (Commercial)
Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions (Boutique Cheese Producer)
Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker
Fonterra Champion Original Cheese
NZ Food Safety Champion New Cheese Award
ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese
CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese
Kiwi Labels Champion Feta Cheese
Green Valley Dairies Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese
Massey University Sheep Milk NZ Champion Sheep Cheese
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese
Caspak Champion Packaging Award
Eurofins Champion European Style Cheese
Delta Wines Champion Flavoured Cheese
Sacco Systems Champion Fresh Italian Style Cheese
Tetra Pak Champion Cheddar Cheese
Big Chill Champion Farmhouse Cheese
Good George Brewing Champion Goat Cheese
Champion Export
Champion Dutch Style Cheese
Innovative Packaging Aspiring Cheesemaker
New World Cheese Lovers' Choice
Curds & Whey Champion Homecrafted Cheese & Cheesemaker
Huntley & Palmers Favourite NZ Specialty Cheese Shopping Experience
Champion Butter
Champion Yoghurt
For a full list the New Zealand Champion of Cheese medal winners visit the NZSCA website.
ENDS.
For more information please contact:
Nicola McConnell, Marvellous Marketing Nicola@marvellousmarketing.co.nz 027 218 8120
OR
Neil Willman neil@newzealandcheeseschool.co.nz or 021 1202 084