Could you be the next Young Cheesemonger of the Year?

In 1377, the Ordinances of the Cheesemongers were set down, limiting trade to only two official cheese markets in London. Selling cheese anywhere else was illegal.  Thankfully, times have changed, and we now have more than 1,500 delis employing a workforce of nearly 11,000 in the UK alone. Somewhere amongst these and the international cheesemongering community is the next Young Cheesemonger of the Year, with the Academy of Cheese now calling out for cheesemongers to enter in their search.

One of the few competitions that invites cheesemongers from around the world to take part, Young Cheesemonger of the Year will be held for the third year running at the World Cheese Awards in Viseu, Portugal on Friday, 15th November 2024. 

In 2023, the competition extended its global reach, with six entrants from five countries facing each other in Trondheim, Norway, resulting in 21-year-old Lily Morris from Wales winning the coveted title. Lily is thankful for the exposure that entering the competition has given her family business, saying, “I entered Young Cheesemonger to challenge my cheese knowledge and to have some fun! Winning really boosted not only my confidence in my mongering abilities, but it also helped build up the shop’s reputation. It has inspired me to keep on exploring the ever-changing cheese world, which never fails to amaze me!”.

Free to enter, the competition is open to any cheesemonger under the age of 30, with applicants being asked, initially, to provide a short biography and submit recommendations for their perfect cheeseboard. New for 2024 is the ‘Perfect Pairing’ round, which asks applicants to present to the panel of judges their ultimate combination of one cheese, one Peter’s Yard cracker and one complementary accompaniment. Six shortlisted entrants will be invited to attend the World Cheese Awards - the largest cheese-only competition on the planet - and compete against their peers across five rounds. 

The Academy says it is delighted to have Peter’s Yard on board as sponsors of the competition for the first time this year. As well as sponsorship, Peter’s Yard is offering finalists £300 each in funding to support their travel and accommodation costs. Yona Ellis, marketing director at Peter’s Yard, said, “We’re delighted to be supporting the Academy of Cheese in their search to find the freshest talent in the Young Cheesemonger of the Year award. We can’t wait to see what innovative pairings the contestants create with our award-winning crackers.” 

Peter’s Yard is joined by the Guild of Fine Food as co-sponsors of the competition, with the winner of the award being announced on the same day at the World Cheese Awards.

Key dates for Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2024

Deadline for entry: Monday, 30th September
Finalists announced: Thursday, 10th October
Finals & Results: Friday, 15th November

Established to promote cheese knowledge and provide career development within the industry, the Academy of Cheese aims to build greater respect for the industry, with Young Cheesemonger of the Year showcasing the skill, knowledge and talent of its members. 

As well as a bright future and the coveted title of Young Cheesemonger 2024, the winner will receive a trophy, feature in Fine Food Digest, and secure a place on the Academy of Cheese Level Two Member Certification course. They will also be invited to judge at the World Cheese Awards 2025. 

Full details, along with the application form, can be found here.