The International Cheese and Dairy Awards have once again proved successful for First Milk, winning six major trophies and achieving a clean sweep at the event.
Despite the stiff competition, First Milk received a total of 23 category awards, including seven gold medals, nine silver medals, and seven bronze medals.
And regaining trophies won in previous years, this year First Milk cheese secured the following top accolades:
- The JKM Foods Trophy awarded to the best mature cheddar in show – which then also went on to win The Graham Nichol Trophy awarded to the Champion UK Creamery block cheddar
- The South Caernarfon Creameries Trophy awarded to the Best Welsh Cheese of any variety
- The ICDA Award for best cheese with health benefits for its reduced fat extra mature cheese
- The Volac Trophy awarded to the best medium creamery block Cheddar in show
- The Tetra Pak Tebel Award for the best extra mature creamery block Cheddar in show
Cheese from the Lake District Creamery received the trophies for the best medium and best extra mature creamery block Cheddar in show. It also scooped gold medals in the Best Medium Cheddar, Vintage Cheddar open to UK and Non-UK producers, and Extra Mature Cheddar open to UK and Non-UK producers.
In addition to these trophies, the Haverfordwest Creamery made it a clean sweep in the Best Welsh Cheese of any variety (Vintage and Ex-mature Cheddar) category taking out the gold, silver, and bronze awards.
“Each year we build on our previous award success, thanks to the dedication of our farmers to produce top-quality milk and the hard work of our creamery staff who make exceptional cheese,” said Jack Eade, First Milk’s Customer Quality Manager. “Our performance in these prestigious awards recognises the hard work of everyone involved from our farmers to creamery staff.”