A Cave Aged Cheddar from Dorset based cheese makers, Ford Farm, has been crowned Supreme Champion at this year’s International Cheese Awards, winning the accolade ahead of more than 3,700 other competitors.
A panel of 150 expert judges from the dairy industry judged the Farm’s Traditional Farmhouse Cheddar which was made in April 2010 as best in show.
Ford Farm has been dedicated to the art of traditional cheese making for decades. Five years, ago, Mike Pullin, Managing Director of the Farm decided to revive the age old tradition of maturing cheese in caves.
‘We persuaded Gerry Cottle, owner of the Wookey Hole Caves to dedicate an area of the caves to our truckles. The concept was really successful. From our point of view, the Caves provide a fantastic environment for cheese maturing due to the constant humidity and all year round temperature which results in the cheese taking on a deliciously distinctive, earthy flavour. From Gerry’s point of view, the cheese provides an added attraction to visitors to Wookey Hole.
‘We know the cheese is good. We have won several of awards and we have fans all over the world who praise it regularly. But to have this verified by a panel of world experts is more than we could possibly hope for.’
Richard Paul, Nantwich Cheese Show Chairman, commented: “We had more than 3,700 entries in all and for the Aged Cave Cheddar to have beaten them all to become Supreme Champion means it is a truly exceptional cheese.
“Our panel of 150 expert judges are looking for flavour, for overall appearance and for the truly remarkable – and with our Supreme Champion, along with all the other category winners and runner ups, they found it.’
Ford Farm Wookey Hole Cave Aged Cheddar is available nationally from the deli counter in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose and selected independents across the country.
Source: Ford Farm