Great British Cheese Awards set for boost in 2018

The Great British Cheese Awards was launched two years ago with the objective of producing a catalogue of great artisan cheese
The Great British Cheese Awards was launched two years ago with the objective of producing a catalogue of great artisan cheese

Now entering its third year, the Great British Cheese Awards is destined for great success again this year.

Celebrating the best of British artisan cheeses produced and distributed by independent cheese makers and retailers, award organisers Great British Chefs and Peter’s Yard already predict more producers and retailers to enter this year.

There is a vital factor to the success of the Great British Cheese Awards. Unlike any other similar events, the general public have a large involvement in the awards.

It is the people who eat, enjoy and buy cheese who have the greatest say on the cheeses, producers and retailers who should be recognised and rewarded for making and selling outstanding British cheese.

Last year around 9,000 people voted for their favourite cheeses, producers and retailers and voting numbers are expected to swell well into the tens of thousands this year.

Entries for the 2018 Awards opened on 28th April and producers and retailers have until 19th June to complete their free online entry. The public can also nominate their favourite cheeses, producers and retailers until 19th June.

From those with the most nominations and entries a long list will be created voting then opens to the general public who have until 14th August to cast their votes that will determine those cheese producers and retailers shortlisted for an award. A prestigious panel of judges will then come together to taste and judge the overall category winners.

'Fantastic initiative'

The Great British Cheese Awards are organised by Great British Chefs and Peter’s Yard, whose crispbread has been named as “the best biscuit for cheese out there”.

Co-founder of Peter’s Yard, Wendy Wilson-Bett said: “We are pleased to once again be lead sponsor for the Great British Cheese awards. This is a fantastic initiative to be included with especially as there is such a positive involvement by the general public. We hope that these awards will also encourage more people to seek out and buy great British cheese.”

Ollie Lloyd, CEO and founder of Great British Chefs commented: “We launched The Great British Cheese Awards two years ago with the objective of producing a catalogue of great artisan cheese and to also discover up-and-coming cheesemakers.

“The response we have received has been was way above expectation and we are grateful to the continues …. remarkable support from producers, retailers and especially the general public. We are confident that the third awards will be the greatest yet and create a platform for cheese producers and retailers to showcase the very best of the artisan cheese industry.”

2017 award winners included The Bristol Cheesemonger, Fen Farm Dairy, Cornish Cheese Co. Cornish Blue, Two Hoots Barkham Blue, Lincolnshire Poacher, Hampshire Cheeses’ Tunworth, and Norton & Yarrow’s Sinodun Hill.

The overall category winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in London in October.