The "Dutchies" have again dominated the New Zealand Cheese Awards, taking out first place in all three main prizes in this year's competition.
For the third year in a row Dutch cheesemakers - self-titled "Dutchies"- have been named number one with master judge Russell Smith saying the style is "as good as it gets anywhere in the world".
The Countdown Champion of Champions Cheese Award for large cheese producers was won by a Bay of Islands based Dutchie, Very Old Edam by Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese, crowned the darling of dairy during a gala dinner The Langham in Auckland last night.
"This cheese exhibits the best characters of its class. The flavour just lingers and lingers on the palate finishing with hints of apricot," Smith said.
"This is a truly exceptional world class cheese."
The Puhoi Valley Champion Artisan Cheese Award went to Mercer Mature Cumin, led by chief cheesemaker Albert Alferink.
"This has a superb balance between background cheese flavours and cumin seed, adding a gorgeous spicy flavour," Smith said.
Completing the Dutch trifecta was Miel Meyer, of Meyer Gouda Cheese, who won the Milktest NZ Champion Cheesemaker Award for second time.
Cheese connoisseur Smith he had always regarded Dutch-style cheese made in New Zealand as world-class.
"One of the most striking things about specialty New Zealand cheese is the exceptional quality of Dutch-style cheese," he said.
"The continuity of Dutch families making cheese in New Zealand has, without doubt, resulted in world-class cheese being produced year after year."
Over 470 specialty cheeses entered this year's awards. For the first time the competition included categories for yoghurts and butters. Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company picked up the first ever Green Valley Dairies Champion Yoghurt Award for its Buffalo Boysenberry Yoghurt. Lewis Road Creamery took home the Food for Chef's Champion Butter Award for its Premium Butter, lightly salted.
Over 30 experienced dairy connoisseurs, including top international critics, made up the judging panel.
• Sample the award-winning cheeses and meet the cheesemakers at MiNDFOOD CheeseFest at The Langham, on Wednesday March 18th, from 5pm to 8:30pm. Tickets are available for $30 per person at www.eventfinder.co.nz or $35 at the door.
2015 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards Winners
Countdown Champion of Champions Cheese Award:
Very Old Edam - Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Puhoi Valley Champion Artisan Cheese Award:
Mercer Mature Cumin - Mercer Cheese
Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker Award:
Miel Meyer - Meyer Gouda Cheese
Food for Chefs Champion Butter Award:
Lewis Road Creamery Premium Butter lightly salted - Lewis Road Creamery
Green Valley Dairies Champion Yoghurt Award:
Clevedon Valley Buffalo Boysenberry Yoghurt - Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company
The Langham Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese Award:
Zany Zeus Crème Fraiche - Zany Zeus
Kiwi Labels Champion Feta Cheese Award:
Mainland Special Reserve Traditional Feta - Fonterra Brands NZ
Innovative Packaging Champion Soft White Rind Cheese Award:
Grinning Gecko Brie - Grinning Gecko Cheese Company
180 degrees Champion Goat Cheese Award:
Aroha Raw Milk Rich Plain - Aroha Organic Goat Cheese
NZ Chefs Association Champion Sheep Cheese Award:
Monte Cristo - Whitestone Cheese
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese Award:
Galactic Gold - Over The Moon Dairy Company
Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese Award:
Kapiti Awa Blue - Fonterra Brands NZ
Eurofins NZ Champion European Style Cheese Award:
Old Gold - Crescent Dairy Goats
AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award:
Mercer Mature Gouda - Mercer Cheese
Ministry for Primary Industries Champion New Cheese Award:
Tenara - Kaikoura Cheese
Primary ITO Aspiring Cheesemaker Award:
Craig Church - Barrys Bay Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese Award:
Sting - Crescent Dairy Goats
Crossroads Wines Champion Flavoured Cheese Award:
Meyer Smoked Gouda - Meyer Gouda Cheese
Tetra Pak Champion Cheddar Cheese Award:
Mainland Epicure Cheese - Fonterra Brands NZ
Epic Brewing Champion Export Cheese Award:
Clevedon Valley Buffalo Mozzarella - Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company
New World Champion Favourite Cheese Award:
Kapiti Kahurangi - Fonterra Brands NZ
Caspak Champion Cheese Packaging Award:
Mainland Special Reserve Christmas Packaging - Fonterra Brands NZ
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese & Cheesemaker:
Wensleydale - John Morawski
- nzherald.co.nz