Our cheese wins big at international cheese ‘Oscars’
Our Stanhope and Wynyard cheese has again been recognised on the world stage, this time picking up three golds at the annual International Cheese and Dairy Awards, held in Nantwich, UK.
The 122-year-old awards are the pinnacle competition for cheese and dairy foods, with independent judges from across the globe coming together to assess thousands of cheeses. |
Fonterra Director Nutritionals and Value-Added Ingredients Australia Fabrizio Jorge, says the awards are the top recognition for all the hard work that goes into the process from paddock to plate, to turn our farmers’ milk into quality cheese.
“Over 5,000 cheeses are entered in this competition from more than 50 countries around the world, it’s kind of like the cheese version of the Oscars. So, to have won in this context really speaks to the quality of our cheese.
“This year we entered our block mozzarella for the first time, along with our traditional award-winning cheddars. Our Stanhope mozzarella took home a gold for Best Mozzarella, competing against European and other global mozzarellas.
“Our Wynyard cheddars also took home gold, winning Best Australian Cheddar for our tasty cheddar, as well as Best Mild Cheddar Cheese for our mild cheddar, a great result all round.
“It’s a team effort – from our farmers' high quality milk, which is turned into cheese at our Stanhope and Wynyard sites, right through to everyone that has had a hand in getting these dairy foods to market,” says Fabrizio.
Overall, Fonterra walked away with seven wins for Australia, with its both Stanhope and Wynyard sites taking home silver and bronze accolades for its cheddars.
Our awards winning cheeses were:
- Gold – Best Mozzarella – NZMP Premium Frozen Mozzarella – Stanhope
- Gold – Best Australian Cheese – Cheddar Mature – NZMP Tasty Cheddar – Wynyard
- Gold – Best Mild Cheddar Cheese – White or coloured (Non-UK) – NZMP Mild Cheddar – Wynyard
- Silver – Best Australian Cheese – Cheddar Mature – Stanhope
- Silver – Best Australian Cheese – Cheddar Mild – Wynyard
- Bronze – Best Australian Cheese – Cheddar Extra Mature/Vintage – Wynyard
- Bronze – Best Australian Cheese – Cheddar Mild – Stanhope