Hampshire mozzarella legend revs up to take on the Italians
The date has been set for the Hampshire Vs Campania Grand Prix of Cheeses. Jody Scheckter, from Laverstoke Park Farm, was challenged to the contest by the consortium of Buffalo Mozzarella producers in Campania, Italy, after he claimed to make mozzarella as good as the Italians.
Scheckter will travel with this own Hampshire Buffalo Mozzarella to Campania, the home of Italian Buffalo Mozzarella on Tuesday 26 March for the ultimate judging – a blind taste test at the hands of a collection of Italian chefs and experts.
This Grand Prix of Cheese takes place within the anniversary year of Jody Scheckter’s F1 World Champion win for Ferrari; but this time he isn’t on the side of the Italians, instead he is proudly racing for Team Hampshire.
Jody is determined to come away from Italy triumphant: “When the mozzarella makers in Campania challenged us to see who really makes the best cheese, I couldn’t resist showing them just how good our Hampshire mozzarella really is. We have great pride in our product and for good reason.”
Preparations and training are in full swing at Laverstoke, keen to get a feel for the reception, the farm hosted a selection of chefs, experts and media last Thursday for a blind tasting of mozzarella. Guests tasted five different cheeses, four from Italy and one from Laverstoke Park. After a tense wait Jody announced that they had drawn in first place with a cheese made in the Campania region of Italy.
“I am satisfied with today’s result. We have come out on top over three varieties of Italian mozzarella and come level with one” commented Jody Scheckter. “Over the next week or so we are going to focus on the best way to transport our mozzarella so that it arrives with us in Italy in the best condition. Today has reinforced my belief that our mozzarella really is outstanding.”