Northern Irish success at Global Cheese Awards

Northern Ireland's Dale Farm and Fivemiletown Creamery were both successful at the recent Global Cheese Awards at the prestigious Froome Agricultural and Cheese Show in Somerset.

Dale Farm, Northern Ireland's biggest dairy business, gained 12 awards for its Dromona brand cheddar cheese, while Fivemiletown, the region's leading speciality cheese emerged with two medals.

Dale Farm was awarded three gold medals for Best Irish Cheese (any Variety), Best Extra Mature Cheddar and Best Vintage Cheddar (in excess of 18 months); seven silver for Best Mild White Cheddar, Best Mild Coloured Cheddar, Best Irish Cheddar, Best Irish (different class), Branded Cheddar Mature, Branded Cheddar Extra Mature, Best Vintage Cheddar (in excess of 18 months); and one bronze in the Export class.

Fivemiletown Creamery from County Tyrone gained two awards for its recently launched flavoured Boilie cheese pearls - Silver for Cream Cheese Pearls with Pesto and Bronze for Goat's Cheese Pearls with Tomato and Herb.

Both companies were also successful in the recent Great Taste Awards and the Nantwich International Cheese Awards.

The Global Cheese Awards were introduced to the Froome Show last year to attract international entries. The show is the biggest event in the farming calendar in the south west of England.

Jason Hempton, Dale Farm's commercial manager for Ireland, says the awards enhance the 'exportability' of Dromona cheese to national and international markets.

"The Frome and similar awards all add to our brand's 'must have' factor - the products are being voted the best by industry experts and that counts for a great deal among senior buyers in a very crowded dairy sector.

"Significant investment has given us the capability, skills and importantly, the ability to produce innovative and premium cheeses for the retail, food service and food ingredients sectors. Winning over 20 awards in just two months is a fantastic reflection of this hard work and investment."

Pic caption: Fivemiletown Creamery's award winning Boilie cheese pearls.