Golden evening for Fonterra

Media release              

4 March 2009

Golden evening for Fonterra

Fonterra Brands (New Zealand) has topped the Cuisine New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards, winning more gold medals than any other producer.

At the Tuesday night awards ceremony at Auckland's SKYCITY Convention Centre the company scooped up seven gold medals for its Kapiti, Ferndale and Mainland cheeses.

New Zealand's most-awarded cheese, Kapiti Kikorangi, led Kapiti's gold medal charge, winning the NZSCA Champion Export Cheese.

Renowned New Zealand chef Al Brown says it is a cheese New Zealand should be proud of.

"Although it's up against so much tradition internationally, it definitely holds its own on the world stage," he says. "For a blue cheese it appeals to a range of people and tastes because it's not too overbearing or underwhelming."

Kapiti Tuteremoana Cheddar took home Hally Labels Champion Cheddar.

Jason Blackie, executive chef at Sails Restaurant in Auckland and regular user of the cheese, says the fact it is aged from three to four years before it hits shelves influences its flavour

"It's a nice, mature cheddar with a zesty, sharp bite. Its firm body makes it easy to work with also," he says.

Karu, newcomer to the Kapiti range, completed Kapiti's gold medal haul by winning NZSCA Champion European Style Cheese.

Sweet and nutty in flavour, the Swiss-style cheese holds its own New Zealand identity with its Maori name translating to mean "eye". This represents its holes, a trademark feature of most Swiss cheeses.

Ferndale proved its strength in the blue cheese arena, with Ferndale Blue Supreme winning gold in the blue veined cheese category and Ferndale Shades of Blue collecting a gold medal in the original New Zealand cheese section.

Gina Klarwill, Senior Brand Manager for specialty cheese says Ferndale blues have become known for their gold medal wins.

"They consistently perform at the awards because of the passion and expertise of the cheesemakers and the high quality ingredients they use," she says. "This combination results in some rather spectacular cheese."

Gold medal performances by two of Mainland's cheeses rounded off Fonterra's triumphant night.

Mainland Smoked Cheddar was awarded gold in the flavour added cheeses category, while Mainland Tasty Cheddar took a gold medal home in the cheddar cheese category.

Klarwill says the company is thrilled about the results.

"These awards show that despite our size, Fonterra Brands still focuses on the fine details of cheesemaking, bringing passion and a personal touch to the craft," she says. "Fonterra Brands is such a major part of the New Zealand landscape and has unrivalled experience in making the cheeses that New Zealand and the world loves." 

- Ends

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