Champion Cheddar Beats 3,717 Award Entries

An April 2010 Cave Aged Cheddar from Ford Farm has been crowned Supreme Champion at this year’s International Cheese Awards, winning the accolade ahead of more than 3,700 other competitors.

A panel of expert judges from the dairy industry recognised Long Clawson Dairy Stilton as the Nantwich Reserve Supreme Champion, a ULN Brie was judged Supreme Champion Overseas. And, Asda won the Supreme Retailer Award.

This year’s competition saw 300 categories in all, with competitors from 26 countries. Other winners at the event, in its 114th year can be seen here: internationalcheeseawards.co.uk/trade/2011-results. 

Richard Paul, show chairman said, “We had 3,700 entries in all, which is a record, and the standard across the board was extremely high – our panel of 150 judges really did have their work cut out to make their selections.

“But select they did and Ford Farm is an extremely deserving Supreme Champion. It, and all the category winners and runners up, can now feature a gold, silver or bronze International Cheese Awards label on pack.

“We will now be working hard to educate consumers on what that logo means -  that if they spot it they can be safe in the knowledge that the product has been judged, by experts, as outstanding.”

Ford Farm is owned by the Barber family who purchased the business in 2010. Barber family member Charlie Barber speaking from the awards said, “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award which is the most prestigious accolade in the industry. It’s a testament to the hard work of our managing director Mike Pullin and the wider Ford Farm team that their efforts have been recognised by this calibre of industry peers. This is the perfect stepping stone for our business as we look to roll out a number of new products an ideas in the coming years.”