Celebrating the rich flavours of the UK and Ireland's cheese industry in Shepton Mallet
Awards and festival to showcase the best of regional cheesemaking and culinary talent
As Shepton Mallet prepares for the 30th British & Irish Cheese Awards and the 3rd Bath & West Food & Drink Festival, excitement is building among industry professionals and cheese enthusiasts alike.
Set for Friday, 20th March, the awards will bring together over 600 entries, featuring a record-breaking 48 cheeses from Ireland. This milestone celebrates the dynamic growth of the Irish artisan cheese scene and the exceptional skills from across the United Kingdom.
Expert judges, including cheesemakers, cheesemongers, and industry specialists, will scrutinise the entries across various classes, awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze accolades. The pinnacle of the event, the Supreme Champion, will be announced at the Awards Dinner.
Weekend of Culinary Delights
Running throughout the weekend of 21st and 22nd March, the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival offers the public a taste of the region's finest food and drink talents. With appearances from TV presenter and drinks expert Andy Clarke, renowned broadcaster Nigel Barden, and fan-favourite Big Nath’s BBQ, there is something for everyone.
Roger Longman of White Lake Cheese in Somerset sees the value of participating in such events. Having entered 24 cheeses into this year's competition, Longman emphasises the importance of such recognition for both personal satisfaction and industry competition.
“I like to win because I'm quite a competitive person," Longman said, "but the main thing for me is it's really nice for the team who make the cheese to appreciate that everyone else thinks what they're doing is really good."
Longman’s journey in cheesemaking began in 2004, continuing a family legacy of dairy farming. Now, he relishes in producing diverse cheeses, from goat and sheep to cow, always encouraging visitors to taste the variety modern cheesemaking offers.
For those able to attend this celebration of cheese and culinary excellence, it promises a memorable experience filled with flavours, insights, and fun.