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A Lincolnshire-based cheesemaker’s “dream came true” after her small, mold-ripened fresh cheese called Snowdrop was named Supreme Champion at the prestigious 28th British Cheese Awards.
Made by Mary and Michael Davenport at Cote Hill Dairy Lincolnshire, the cheese won first prize from over 600 entrants from across the UK and Ireland, beating all competitors.
The ceremony took place at the Bath & West Showground in Somerset at the end of March, as part of the new Bath & West Food & Drink Festival.
Snowdrop was launched just over a year ago and the cheese was named in honor of Cynthia Davenport, who started the dairy in Cote Hill, as snowdrops were her favorite flower growing around the farm.
The cheese is made in batches of just 60 at a time and sells for £6.50.
Soft, creamy and velvety, Snowdrop is a raw cow’s milk cheese, similar in style to a French St Félicien, and will vary throughout the seasons depending on changes in pastures.
A Lincolnshire-based cheesemaker’s “dream came true” after her small, mold-ripened fresh cheese called Snowdrop was named supreme champion at the prestigious 28th British Cheese Awards.
Ms Davenport said: “As a small producer we are delighted and honored to receive this prestigious award.
“It was a huge surprise and totally unexpected, as winning the Supreme Champion at the British Cheese Awards is every cheesemaker’s dream.
“Here at Cote Hill we are amazed that such a small cheese can win such a prestigious award.
All trophies were awarded at the British Cheese Awards dinner on the evening of Friday March 22, with the reserve champion cup going to Cashel Blue from Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers, who also won Best Irish Cheese.
Best English Cheese went to Tor from White Lake Cheese, Best Scottish Cheese went to Minger from Highland Fine Cheese and Best Welsh Cheese went to Gafr Las from Bryngaer Goats.
Julius Longman, Chairman of the British Cheese Awards, commented: “It was fantastic to be back at the Bath & West Showground and have another supreme champion to share with the world.
“Snowdrop is a perfect example of the innovation and excellence in cheesemaking that is currently thriving in Britain and Ireland, alongside our world-class traditional cheeses.
“The British Cheese Awards are a wonderful gathering of the country’s cheese community and we were delighted to welcome the public into the judges’ room during the new Food & Drink Festival.
Snowdrop was launched just over a year ago and the cheese was named in honor of Cynthia Davenport, who started the dairy in Cote Hill, as snowdrops were her favorite flower growing around the farm.
“Having showcased hundreds of diverse cheeses from across the UK and Ireland, we hope to have inspired some of the cheesemakers and merchants of tomorrow!
Organized by the Royal Bath & West Society, the awards saw a 63-strong jury of cheese makers, cheese makers, cheese experts, buyers and commentators evaluate the entries.
In their individual lessons in the morning session, they awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
During the second round, all gold medal winners from each category were judged side by side to identify the category winners, before all category winners were judged in the final round to determine the supreme champion and this year’s reserve champion.
Hosted for the first time by the new Bath & West Food & Drink Festival, the British Cheese Awards invited festival visitors to taste some of this year’s entries over the weekend and vote for the People’s Choice Award.