British Cheese Awards Success

British Cheese Awards Success

Hampshire Fare members shone at this year’s British Cheese Awards held at the Royal Bath and West Show last week.

Britain has become a nation of cheese lovers with the number of British cheesemakers doubling in the last 20 years. There are now over 900 British cheeses made from cow, goats, ewe and even buffalo milk. And according to HMRC figures its not just the British who love our cheese with exports of UK cheese at an all-time high.

Here in Hampshire and on its borders we are lucky to boast some of the country’s finest cheesemakers. This was proven once again at the 22nd British Cheese Awards with medals going to four Hampshire Fare cheesemakers. The awards mark the start of British Cheese Week (1st-7th June).

Barkham Blue, made by Two Hoots Cheese, beat 986 British cheeses to win Supreme Champion 2015. Two Hoots Cheese is based in Barkham on the Hampshire and Berkshire border and is owned by Sandy and Andy Rose. Barkham Blue won its first award back in 2003 when it was crowned Best New Cheese at the World Cheese Awards and won Gold at the British Cheese Awards in the same year. Since then it has gone on to win multiple awards including its latest achievement of Supreme Champion 2015 and Best Blue Cheese. They also won Gold for their Rosethorn Blue.

Medals also went to Laverstoke Park Farm, Loosehanger Cheese and Lyburn Cheesemakers.

Laverstoke Park Farm
Buffalo Cheddar (British Hard Cheese) – Gold
Buffalo Gouda (British Hard Cheese) - Silver
Ciliengine (Stretched Curd Cheese) – Bronze
Buffalo Brie (Soft White Buffalo) - Bronze

Loosehanger Cheeses
Goat Willow (Soft White Goat) – Bronze
Loosehanger Fresh Curd (Goat) – Silver
Loosehanger Oak Smoked (Semi Soft Smoked) – Silver
Hampshire Rose (Modern British Hard Cheese) – Gold
New Forest Aged Blue (Blue Cheese) – Bronze
Loosehanger Fennel and Coriander (New Cheese) - Bronze

Lyburn Cheesemakers
Lyburn Gold (Modern British Hard Cheese) – Bronze
Stoney Cross (Modern British Hard Cheese) – Silver
Old Winchester (Modern British Hard Cheese) – Silver
Lyburn Oak Smoked (Flavour Added Cheese) – Gold
Old Winchester (Export) - Silver

Local cheese lovers can find out more about where to try and buy these award-winning cheeses on the Hampshire Fare website, www.hampshirefare.co.uk.

During July’s Hampshire Food Festival there will be an opportunity to tour Lyburn Farm and enjoy a cheese supper on the 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th and 21st July at 6.30pm, adults £10 and children £5. More details are available on the Hampshire Fare website or call 01794 399982 to book.

Indulge in a Hampshire Cheese and Chocolate Tasting Evening on Tuesday 14th July, 7.30pm at Upton Park Farm, £30. Call 01962 732731 to book. There will also be a chance to meet local cheesemakers at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show on the 28th, 29th and 30th July, visit newforestshow.co.uk for more information.