A Gloucestershire dairy has claimed the prestigious title of Britain’s best cheese, beating nearly 600 competitors with a continental-style creation. Meanwhile, Irish producers faced disappointment as their entries were reportedly held up at customs.
Burford, a washed rind cow’s milk cheese produced by King Stone Dairy in Chedworth, was crowned champion at the British & Irish Cheese Awards held in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Broadcaster and judge Nigel Barden described it as a “fabulous example of a top-class washed rind cheese. David Jowett and his team should be very proud of Burford. It would pick up accolades anywhere in the world.”
The competition showcased 591 cheeses representing 71 percent of the nation’s producers. Other notable winners included Lowfields Lancashire as best territorial cheese, Shropshire Knight for best blue, and Shilling by White Lake as best goat cheese. Bidlea Blue, wrapped distinctively in vine leaves, won the best new cheese category.
While British entries flourished, the Irish cheese contingent was notably absent from the competition. Tim Rowcliffe, vice-chairman of the awards, explained that their absence was “a tragedy, largely thanks to Brexit” as the cheeses were reportedly stuck in customs. This mirrors a similar incident at last November’s World Cheese Awards, where British cheeses failed to reach the competition in Portugal.
Judges remained enthusiastic about the state of British artisanal cheese production. “We’re living in a golden age of cheesemaking in Britain,” said Sam Brice, co-founder of The Real Cheese Project. Rowcliffe highlighted how Britain has moved beyond being “notorious” for just cheddar, red Leicester and Wensleydale, now creating continental-style cheeses that rival or surpass their European counterparts.
Despite economic and bureaucratic challenges, the industry continues to thrive through innovation. Those interested in sampling these award-winning cheeses can visit the Bath & West Food and Drink Festival, taking place on March 22-23 at the Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet.
