Tuesday 26th February 2013, 10:30pm
Media Release
Dutch Dominate Cheese Awards Again
It’s action replay for two New Zealand Dutch cheese companies as they scoop all three major accolades in the 2013 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards for the second consecutive year.
Meyer Vintage Gouda, produced by Meyer Gouda Cheese, has won the Crossroads Wines Champion of Champions Award for large cheesemakers. Very Old Edam, produced by Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese has won the Cuisine Champion Artisan Cheese Award for smaller producers with Jake Rosevear of Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese winning the Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker Award.
Fifty nine cheese companies entered 413 cheeses in this year’s competition, with the winners announced at a gala dinner
and awards ceremony at The Langham in Auckland tonight.
A total of 28 expert assessors made up the judging panel, led for the fifth year by one of Australasia’s most respected
cheese judges, Russell Smith. Smith said he is particularly impressed with the increasingly high standard of Dutch
cheese in New Zealand.
“Every year Dutch style cheese in New Zealand seems to get stronger and stronger. It’s fantastic to see this growth and
consistency year after year,” said Smith.
Hamilton-based Meyer Gouda Cheese, which focuses solely on producing world-class Gouda, celebrates its second year
winning the prestigious Champion of Champions award with its “hugely flavoured” Meyer Vintage Gouda.
“This is a cheese that almost overwhelms the palate on first taste,” Smith said. “It then settles down to a pleasing mix
of complex fruity, sweet and nutty flavours. It’s a real flavour explosion for the senses.”
Meyer Vintage Gouda also won the NZ Specialist Cheesemakers Champion Export Award.
Family-run Kerikeri business Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese has taken home three awards with the youngest of the family Jake
Rosevear (34) crowned Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker for the second year running.
Both Meyer and Rosevear are second generation cheesemakers now taking over production from their Dutch immigrant
parents.
Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese also won the Cuisine Champion Artisan Cheese Award for its Very Old Edam and the AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award for its Mature Gouda.
“Very Old Edam is a pure delight. It displays a firm and crunchy texture with sweet and floral notes and a nutty
aftertaste,” said Smith.
“Mahoe’s Mature Gouda has a slightly soft texture producing a mouthful of sweet fruity flavours and just a slight tang
to finish.”
To add to its award haul, two of Mahoe Farmhouse cheeses scored a perfect score of 100. Smith said this is an incredible
achievement.
“In the judging I conduct internationally I might see one 100 score every two years. To see two perfect scores of 100 in
one competition – well, it just doesn’t happen. The cheese has to be perfect in every aspect – you can’t do any better.”
The iconic Kapiti brand produced by Fonterra Brands NZ has also achieved a hat trick taking out five awards including
the New World Champion Favourite Cheese Award (voted for by consumers) for Kapiti Kikorangi for the second year running.
Every cheese was examined by both a technical and an aesthetic judge and strictly graded to pre-determined bronze,
silver and gold standards. This year the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards produced 74 gold medals, up from 58 in 2012.
“On the tenth anniversary of these awards it’s fantastic to see such a large number of gold medals awarded. It’s a real
testament to the increasing skill of New Zealand cheesemakers, especially the artisan end,” Smith said.
Cheese lovers keen to sample New Zealand’s finest, award-winning cheeses are encouraged to head long to Cuisine CheeseFest, Wednesday 27th February from 12pm – 3pm and 5pm - 8pm. Tickets are available at the door for $35.
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2013 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards category winners are:
Crossroads Wines Champion of Champions Award
Meyer Vintage Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Cuisine Champion Artisan Cheese Award
Very Old Edam – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker Award
Jake Rosevear – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
The Langham Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese Award
Mozzarella - Whangaripo Buffalo Cheese Company
Countdown Champion Feta Cheese Award
Waimata Brined Feta – Waimata Cheese Company
Innovative Packaging Champion Soft White Rind Cheese Award
Whitestone Brie Maxi - Whitestone Cheese
Elldex Packaging Champion Goat Cheese Award
Aroha Rich Plain – Aroha Organic Goat
NZ Specialist Cheesemakers Champion Sheep Cheese Award
Mercer Pecorino – Mercer Cheese
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese Award
Kapiti Ramara – Fonterra Brands NZ
Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese Award
Kapiti Awa Blue – Fonterra Brands NZ
Eurofins Champion European Style Cheese Award
Farmhouse Mature – Crescent Dairy Goats
AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award
Mature Gouda – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Ministry for Primary Industries Champion New Cheese Award
Aroha Raw Milk Rich Plain – Aroha Organic Goat
Fonterra Champion Original Cheese Award
Kapiti Tuteremoana – Fonterra Brands NZ
Moa Beer Champion Flavoured Cheese Award
Labneh Lemon – Kaikoura Cheese
GEON Champion Cheddar Cheese Award
Lichfield Cheddar (aged less than 12 months) – Fonterra Lichfield
NZ Specialist Cheesemakers Champion Export Award
Meyer Vintage Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
New World Champion Favourite Cheese Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
Caspak Champion Cheese Packaging Award
Mainland Natural Cheese Sticks – Fonterra Brands NZ
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese Award
Tahatu by Alan Moore
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheesemaker Award
Alan Moore of Sunnyvale, Auckland
ENDS