European initiative to boost Northern Irish cheese

Cheese producers will benefit from a Dairy Council for Northern Ireland (DCNI) initiative to invite chefs and food enthusiasts to come up with innovative recipes.

As part of its 'Cheese Up Your Life' programme, the Dairy Council has launched a competition to find innovative and inspiring recipes which showcases a passion for cheese.

Bloggers with an enthusiasm for cooking as well as anyone who earns their living from cooking are being challenged to come up with their most creative cheese recipe.

The winner of each category will receive €1,000 each, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Brussels where their winning recipe will be showcased at an exclusive gala event.

Northern Ireland has a thriving artisan cheese sector with a number of businesses producing a wide range of cheese products as well as Dale Farm/Fivemiletown, the region's biggest indigenous cheese business.

Speaking at the launch Dr Mike Johnston, DCNI chief executive, said: "The competition is part of a wider programme which celebrates European cheeses from four countries including Denmark, France, Ireland and our own delicious cheese from Northern Ireland. I would encourage any blogger with a keen interest in cooking and a creative flair for recipe ideas to enter, as well as chefs who would like to show off their skills and have their dish featured as part of the Brussels celebrations.

"The winners from each of the blogger and chef categories will also attend a symposium to learn about European cheese culture including the science of what makes our cheese delicious, to future trends and the place of cheese in a modern lifestyle."

The Northern Ireland judging panel includes cook and food writer Trish Deseine, Joy Alexander, head of Food Technology Development at Loughry College and Dr Mike Johnston.

The competition is open until 14th April and the judges will be looking for originality, creativity, an explanation of why cheese is 'star of the show' in the recipe and, of course, a fantastic taste! Winners will be announced on 23rd May.

The competition is part of the European Milk Forum's 'Cheese up your life!' programme taking place in the UK (Northern Ireland), France, Denmark and the Republic of Ireland and is co-financed by the European Union.

For more details and to enter the competition visit http://bit.ly/2ldoKnO.

Pic Caption: Trish Deseine, Dr Mike Johnston and Joy Alexander.