A selection of winning cheeses from Very Old Edam Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese.
A selection of winning cheeses from Very Old Edam Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese.
Dutch style cheeses have taken out the top awards at this year's New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards.
A Dutch-style cheese made in Akaroa - Aged Gouda by Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese - won the coveted Countdown Champion of Champions Award for large cheese producers. Judges said the hand-crafted dairy boasted tropical fruit flavours and was a favourite with the entire panel.
WIN! Cheese lovers read on for your chance to win a double pass to CheeseFest in Auckland tonight!
Dutch-inspired cheese by Jeanne Van Kuyk of Aroha Organic Goat Cheese won the Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker Award. Her company also took out the Tuatara Brewing Champion Goat Cheese Award for its Aroha Raw Milk Rich Plain cheese.
Emigrating from Holland, Van Kuyk now makes award-winning organic, specialty cheese from her own herd of goats on the family's rural Waikato farm.
Completing the Dutch dominance was Very Old Edam produced by Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese - which won the Cuisine Champion Artisan Cheese Award for smaller producers for the third year running.
Master Judge Russell Smith with Aged Gouda Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese.
"This cheese is so good that you don't want to put anything else in your mouth for some time," said head judge Russell Smith.
Over 430 New Zealand specialty cheeses were entered in this year's competition, with winners announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony at The Langham last night.
The judging panel, made up of 28 of the country's most experienced cheese connoisseurs, was lead by Australiasian expert and educator, Russell Smith.
"New Zealand cheese ranks with the best in the world, with certain styles indisputably world-class," Smith said.
Judges scrutinising the country's best cheese.
"The diversity of flavour profiles, the quality of cheese making and high presentation of the majority of cheese was fantastic. It's incredibly encouraging to see the bar being raised each year."
* Cheese lovers are given the chance to sample the country's finest at the Cuisine CheeseFest, March 5, from 5pm until 8.30pm. Tickets from $30 at www.eventfinder.co.nz or $35 at the door. Or enter below for your chance to win a double pass.
This competition is now closed.
2014 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards Winners
Countdown Champion of Champions Award: Aged Gouda - Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Cuisine Champion Artisan Cheese Award: Very Old Edam - Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker: Jeanne Van Kuyk - Aroha Organic Goat Cheese
