19th November, 2024
Providing an opportunity for key members of the Cheese Industry to come together in celebration of the industry, to see which cheeses have won the trophies and who was awarded with the all-important Cheese Industry Award.
Over 150 key members of the Cheese Industry attended the ever-popular event on Friday 22nd March which was held in the Wessex Pavilion at the Bath & West Showground.
All trophies were awarded during the British Cheese Awards Dinner on the evening, with the Reserve Champion cup going to Cashel Blue from Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers, which also won Best Irish Cheese. Best English Cheese went to Tor from White Lake Cheese, Best Scottish Cheese went to Minger from Highland Fine Cheese and Best Welsh Cheese went to Gafr Las from Bryngaer Goats.
Julius Longman, chairman of the British Cheese Awards, commented: “It was fantastic to be back at the Bath & West Showground, and to have another Supreme Champion to share with the world. Snowdrop is a perfect example of the innovation and excellence in cheesemaking that is thriving in Britian and Ireland right now, alongside our world class traditional cheeses. The British Cheese Awards is a wonderful coming together of the nation’s cheese community and we were delighted to welcome the public into the judging hall over the course of the new Food & Drink Festival. Having showcased hundreds of diverse cheeses from across the UK and Ireland, we hope to have inspired some of the cheesemakers and mongers of tomorrow!”
The Cheese Industry Award recognises an individual for dedicating their career and celebrates someone who has made a remarkable contribution to the industry. The 2024 award was presented to Ian Coggins, Belton Farm Sales Manager, who, after a 42 year career in the industry, will be retiring in July. Ian has worked in almost every single position over his years in the cheese industry, beginning when he was aged just 23 at Dewlay Cheesemakers, leaving after 33 years at Dewlay to join the team at Belton Farm. Ian is also a frequent judge for many cheese awards across the country.
