A farmer-owned creamery is celebrating after three of its cheeses won global awards at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards 2022.
South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC), based in Chwilog, Wales, won the hat trick of gold prizes at the awards, where its mature white cheddar, caerphilly and red leicester cheeses triumphed against opposition.
The creamery has already picked up a number of awards in competitions across the UK, with a collection of 22 gold medals, 15 silver medals and 12 bronze medals.
Earlier this summer, SCC also celebrated an appearance at the Royal Welsh Show in July, collecting seven gold awards for its red leicester, double gloucester, wensleydale and coloured mild cheddar, as well as for its reduced fat cheese and half fat cheese.
The creamery’s dragon butter stole the show with the Supreme Champion title.
The ‘stamp of recognition’
Head Cheese Grader Shôn Jones, who is also a respected judge at cheese shows, said the victories at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards in Staffordshire were an “unmistakable stamp of recognition” of quality in cheesemaking.
“It is a real boost commercially as it as it enhances our reputation for producing supreme products – cheese of a standard to match and surpass any of our competitors around the world,” he said.
“We’ve had a good run over the last few years to be honest.
“But it’s a huge coup for us to gain a hat-trick at the International in the first year when all the shows are back to live format again following the pandemic.”
The creamery’s winning streak is thanks to the hard work of all those involved in the production process, said Jones.
“Our methods are undoubtedly paying off and our name is now being heralded around the world,” he said.
New products developer, Trystan Povey said: “It means we are not just seen as a Welsh company but as a global company, capable of making cheeses and butters to tempt the tastebuds of increasingly important international markets.”
Jones and Povey say they now have their sights set firmly on achieving more success later in the year at the World Cheese Awards 2022.
The World Cheese Awards 2022
The awards, which bring together cheesemakers, retailers, buyers, consumers and food commentators to judge nearly 4,000 cheeses from over 40 countries, take place at the International Convention Centre, Cardiff, Wales, on November 1 and 2.
The Guild of Fine Food host the 34th year of the awards, which were originally scheduled to be held in Kyiv but had to be rescheduled following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The process and ‘invaluable’ insight
Jones ‘ responsibilities for the brand include grading the variety of SCC cheeses daily; checking attributes including texture, colour and appearance; and reviewing the taste profile.
He started working for the co-operative 25 years ago and became increasingly interested in the grading and monitoring process.
Jones has also been involved in judging cheeses, including for eight years at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards. His experience provides ‘invaluable’ insight for the creamery.
Povey also has experience as an assistant judge, though neither of them cana judge their own co-operative’s products.
Jones said: “Everything is judged blind at all the top shows unless it is a brand category in which case we will know who the producers are.
“But when it comes to general categories it is all unlabelled. We assess how the cheeses are presented, texture, maturity and taste.”
