In a year where the international Master Judge said the quality of New Zealand-made cheese has never been better, the top two awards have gone to small, independent cheesemakers.
Countdown Champion of Champions Cheese – Commercial, was awarded to The Cheese Barn Organic Cumin Seed Gouda, and Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions Cheese – Artisan was awarded to Clevedon Buffalo Ricotta.
Master Judge Russell Smith, from Australia, who judges cheeses at competitions around the world, said the quality of New Zealand cheese continues to improve. He says New Zealanders should be proud of the local cheese available from their supermarket or cheesemonger.
For more than 20 years Kelvin and Cathy Haigh have owned and run The Cheese Barn in the Thames-Coromandel district. They make BioGro certified organic cheeses and yoghurts that are unhomogenised, gluten free, have no GMO, no artificial additives, no antibiotics or growth hormones and no chemical sprays. They have entered cheese in the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards since 1998 winning many medals. This is the first trophy-winning cheese, and so the first time they have also been awarded the commercial champion of the show.
Master Judge Russell Smith said “this Cumin Seed Gouda was an absolutely superb cheese and that’s why it’s been named champion. The flavour profile exhibited all the best characteristics of this traditional style. The piquancy of the cumin blending beautifully with the slightly sweet yet savoury notes of the cheese.”
To be eligible for the Champion of Champions Commercial cheesemakers must produce over 25 tonnes per annum.
Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions Cheese – Artisan, Clevedon Buffalo Ricotta
Owned and operated by Richard and Helen Dorresteyn, Clevedon Buffalo Co. south of Auckland was the first commercial buffalo farm in New Zealand. They own 150 Riverine water buffalo and use their milk, which contains more protein and calcium and roughly half the cholesterol of cow’s milk, to make a delicious range of mozzarella, bocconcini, yoghurt, marinated cheese and ricotta.
Smith said “What an amazing feat for a fresh style of cheese to win Champion. This indicates just how good this ricotta really is. Sweet with just a hint of savoury all balanced by a superb texture from the buffalo milk. Ricotta just doesn’t get any better than this.”
To qualify for the Champion of Champions Artisan cheesemakers must produce less than 25 tonnes annually.
Three Trophies for Meyer Cheese
Waikato’s Meyer Cheese were also significant winners, collecting three trophies: Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker Award for Geert Meyer, Eurofins NZ Champion European Style Cheese Award for Meyer Maasdam and Martinborough Vineyard Champion Flavoured Cheese Award for their Meyer Cracked Pepper cheese.
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese & Cheesemaker
Air New Zealand Dreamliner pilot and keen home cheesemaker Tony Hamblyn, was named Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese & Cheesemaker for his Karaka Brick Gold cheese. Brick style cheese is a take on English cheddar, originally made in Wisconsin, US, its name comes from its brick-shaped form. Tony lives on a lifestyle block near Waiuku and has four cows. He was mentored by New Zealand Specialist Cheesemaker’s Association member, Lyn Haycock from the Glenbrook Cheese Company and learned a few tips from her.
This was the 15th NZ Champions of Cheese Awards, run by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association. More than 2000 kg of cheeses were assessed by 28 judges supported by 30 stewards on Saturday 24 February at the AUT School of Hospitality and Tourism. They awarded; 23 trophies, 41 gold medals, 66 silver medals and 53 bronze medals to New Zealand cheesemakers. The NZ Champion of Cheese trophy winners were announced at Fale Pasifika in Auckland at a gala awards event on Thursday 15 March.
NZ CHAMPIONS OF CHEESE AWARDS TROPHY WINNERS 2018
Countdown Champion of Champions Cheese Award – Commercial
The Cheese Barn Organic Cumin Seed Gouda – The Cheese Barn
Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions Cheese Award – Artisan
Clevedon Buffalo Ricotta – Clevedon Buffalo Co
Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker Award
Geert Meyer – Meyer Cheese
Green Valley Dairies Champion Fresh Un-Ripened Cheese Award
Clevedon Buffalo Ricotta – Clevedon Buffalo Co
Kiwi Labels Champion Feta Cheese Award
Zany Zeus Creamy Feta – Zany Zeus
CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese Award
Thorvald Sheep Milk Camembert – Thorvald
180 degrees Champion Goat Cheese Award
Talbot Forest Goat Parmesan – Talbot Forrest Cheese
Sheep Milk NZ Champion Sheep Cheese Award
Thorvald Sheep Milk Curado- Thorvald
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese Award
Puhoi Valley Cellar Range Washed Rind – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese Award
Puhoi Valley Matured Kawau Blue – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Eurofins NZ Champion European Style Cheese Award
Meyer Maasdam – Meyer Cheese
AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award
Barrys Bay Aged Cumin Gouda – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Ministry for Primary Industries Champion New Cheese Award
Clevedon Buffalo Cherry Mozzarella – Clevedon Buffalo Co
Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese Award
Over the Moon Southern Cross by Neil Willman – Over the Moon Dairy
Tetra Pak Champion Cheddar Cheese Award
Fonterra Lichfield NZMP Strong Cheddar – Fonterra Co-operative Group
Emerson’s Farmhouse Cheese Award
Thorvald Sheep Milk Camembert – Thorvald
Martinborough Vineyard Champion Flavoured Cheese Award
Meyer Cracked Pepper – Meyer Cheese
Renco New Zealand Champion Export Cheese Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
AUT School of Hospitality and Tourism Aspiring Cheesemaker
Thomas Fredrickson – Mercer Cheese
New World Cheese Lovers’ Choice Award
Kapiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue – Fonterra Brands NZ
Cheese Lovers’ Choice Favourite NZ Cheese Company Award in association with New World
Whitestone Cheese Co
Cas-Pak Products Ltd Champion Cheese Packaging Award
Clevedon Marinated Buffalo Cheese – Clevedon Buffalo Co
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese & Cheesemaker
Tony Hamblyn, Karaka Brick Gold
