Australia’s most scathing food critic has divided his followers by “dancing on the grave” of a beloved local cheese maker.
John Lethlean, who has written restaurant and food reviews for major Australian newspapers and magazines for more than two decades, criticized King Island Dairy in his latest article.
The 120-year-old Tasmanian cheese factory will close its doors permanently by the middle of next year, Canadian owner Saputo announced last month, leaving 58 employees out in the cold.
The future of the business had been under a cloud for 10 months after Saputo launched a strategic review of facilities that produced gourmet cheeses such as brie and blue vein.
King Island Dairy operations began in the early 20th century and is one of the small island’s largest employers, home to 1,600 people.
Lethlean described King Island Dairy’s brie as “trash” and “devoid of character” in his scathing post.
“The recently announced corporate demise of King Island Dairy should not have taken anyone who loves cheese by surprise,” Lethlean began his final missive.
‘Cheese have always been rubbish and this so-called brie I have here… is completely devoid of any character unless all you’re looking for in a soft, white moldy cheese is industrial salt.
Australia’s notoriously acid-tongued food critic has divided his followers by “dancing on the grave” of a beloved local cheese maker.
John Lethlean, who has written restaurant and food reviews for major Australian newspapers and magazines for more than two decades, criticized King Island Dairy in his latest article. The brief, sharp takedown was posted alongside a rather unappetizing photo of a hunk of cheese sweating in crumpled aluminum foil.
‘Awful.’
The brief, sharp takedown was posted alongside a rather unappetizing photo of a hunk of cheese sweating in crumpled aluminum foil.
Lethlean divided his fans with his stinking review.
Premium smoked fish brand Bellarine Smokehouse poked some Swiss-sized holes in its reviews.
The 120-year-old Tasmanian cheese factory will close its doors permanently by the middle of next year, Canadian owner Saputo announced last month, leaving 58 employees out in the cold.
‘Dancing on people’s graves with the disappearance of a business that employed half the island is really not a good image. “I was raised to believe that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything,” the Melbourne business account wrote.
‘You’re the biggest employer on a very small island… What do you expect people to do now for a living?
‘Perhaps you should ask questions about our federal government’s rules on foreign ownership of primary producers. That discussion would be much more relevant…’
Lethlean retired his powerful pen from The Australian in 2022 and then found himself in hot water for rude comments he made about a waitress in 2023.
Lethlean divided his fans with his stinking cheese review.
The comment racked up 46 likes, but Lethlean also received support for her opinion.
‘I’m very happy to hear you say it. “I always thought it was more bland than a bland thing, which is actually very bland,” one person wrote.
“The verbiage in this post is also a depressing reminder of how I’d like to read Lethlean in Australia on food and now there’s a void that doesn’t look like it’s going to be filled anytime soon,” said one diehard. fan of his added.
Meanwhile, a third asked Lethlean: “Is this a review of yours?”
Lethlean retired his powerful pen from The Australian in 2022 and then found himself in hot water for rude comments he made about a waitress in 2023.
“And the maitre d’/meet and greeter wears a suit that threatens to expose more than just his inexperience when he bends over to set a table,” Lethlean wrote in a post promoting his review of a Perth restaurant in Delicious last year.
He was forced to temporarily delete his Instagram after widespread backlash from the hospitality industry and the general public.
Meanwhile, Saputo chief operating officer Leanne Cutts said the decision to liquidate the iconic Tasmanian business had been difficult.
He said “all possible options” had been reviewed but that closure was the most viable way to strengthen Saputo’s competitiveness in a changing market.
“With King Island Dairy’s historic roots running deep in the region, the strategic review was expected to identify a potential buyer for the facility,” Ms Cutts said.
‘It is a unique brand, with a plant that is almost 100 years old.
“(While) King Island Dairy products hold a nostalgic place in the hearts of Australians, the brand has not maintained its position in today’s ultra-competitive food industry.”
King Island Dairy operations began in the early 20th century and is one of the island’s largest employers, employing around 1,600 people.
Saputo bought King Island Dairy in 2019 as part of its purchase of Lion Dairy & Drinks’ cheese business.
He confirmed that 58 staff would be affected, but that “redeployment opportunities” would be identified where possible.
Cutts said Saputo would work with dairy farmers and the wider island community.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Saputo’s decision was very disappointing.
“We are providing immediate support to the company’s workers, farmers and the island community in general,” he said.
Rockliff said the state government was willing to work with the company in a further effort to find a new operator.
Saputo describes itself as one of the world’s top 10 dairy processors.
King Island has a unique climate due to its location and offers lush pastures for cows and unusually sweet milk.
Saputo also owns Cheer Cheese, formerly known as Coon Cheese, and bought the majority of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter a decade ago.
