Northern Ireland success at international cheese awards

Three Northern Ireland companies have recently been recognized for quality products at major international dairy industry awards in Great Britain. The companies were successful at the International Cheese Awards in Nantwich (24-25 July) and the Great Yorkshire Show in Leeds (16-17 July).

As well as established cheese processors, the Northern Ireland winners included newcomer Leggygowan blue goat's cheese, a new product developed as part of a farm diversification project and Northern Ireland's first blue-veined goat's cheese.

Dale Farm Dairies, Belfast, gained a series of awards for its successful cheddar range. Fivemiletown Creamery, County Tyrone was successful with its speciality soft cheese and recently launched gourmet ice cream.

The Northern Ireland award winners were:

Great Yorkshire Show, Leeds (16/17 July):

Fivemiletown Creamery, Northern Ireland's leading speciality cheese producer, named Reserve Champion and winner of the Best Cheese with Added Flavour category.

International Cheese Festival, Nantwich (24/25 July):

Dale Farm Dairies, Belfast, Northern Ireland's biggest dairy company - Cheddar Mild - gold, silver and bronze medals: Cheddar Mature -silver and bronze medals; Mature Cheddar block - bronze

Fivemiletown Creamery, County Tyrone - Soft or Cream Cheese with Additives -gold and Very Highly Commended: Naturally Smoked Cheese Non Hard - bronze

Ice cream - Very Highly Commended in Ice Cream with Fruit and general Ice Cream categories

Leggygowan Farm, Saintfield, County Down - goat's blue cheese - bronze in the Best Cheese developed by a student attending a Food Technology Course.

The new business has been assisted by Loughry campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise.

Pictured is Leggygowan's award winning goat's blue cheese.