Cheeses produced by apprentices and industry delegates at Reaseheath College won a haul of awards at Nantwich’s International Cheese Show, proving cheeses manufactured locally are among the best in the world.
Cheeses made in Reaseheath’s industry standard food processing halls took two golds, one silver and one bronze award at what is accepted as the biggest cheese festival in the world.
This year the show attracted over 5,000 entries from over 30 countries to Nantwich, all competing for coveted rosettes.
All classes are highly competitive and winning entries must be outstanding in flavour, texture and taste.
Reaseheath’s awards were:
GOLD in the Student Cheesemaker class with a Cheddar cheese made by apprentices on the college’s Eden programme: Ben Morris (Glanbia), Zac Lethbridge (Arla), Deborah Richards (Muller) and Sam Yearsley (Arla).
GOLD for a Derby cheese in the Specialist Cheesemakers’ Section (Best territorial hard cheese). This was made by Eden apprentices Will Mcelvogue (Arla), Zoltan Simko (Arla), Iftekar Rahman (Arla), Gintare Jonuitiene (Muller), Marcin Sapolski (Arla) and Marnie Ponsford (Arla)
SILVER in the Student Cheesemaker Class with a Derby cheese made by the same team as above
BRONZE in the Specialist Cheesemakers’ Section (Best territorial crumbly cheese) with a Cheshire cheese made by delegates on a bespoke course for Tetra Pak.
Apprentices and delegates received practical cheese-making training from food manufacturing lecturer Debbie Heritage-Brill and technician Sue Moors, and senior technologist Jenny Tait selected the cheeses for judging.
Processing Halls Manager Michael Bennett said: “A massive well done to all the team involved in manufacturing products which we can now definitely say are among the best cheeses in the world!”
Head of Food Nick Blakemore added: “I am delighted with our success and very proud of the Food Centre team who worked tirelessly with the apprentices and Tetra Pak delegates to produce cheeses worthy of awards at the world’s most prestigious cheese show.”
Reaseheath’s Eden programme is a unique education initiative driven and supported by leading dairy companies including Arla, Muller and Dairy Crest which recognise the importance of investing in talented employees.
Level 5 apprentice dairy technologists attend Reaseheath on a block release basis to study for an internationally recognised Foundation Degree in Dairy Technology.
More than 10 Eden apprentices also gained invaluable experience by stewarding during judging day, which is dedicated to trade professionals.
This gave them a superb opportunity to support and learn from top judges, network with senior industry professionals, gain an overview of global dairy manufacturing and to taste some seriously good cheeses.
Reaseheath’s Commercial Development Co-ordinator Julie Bent is a member of the organising committee for the International Cheese Awards and is instrumental in the popular celebrity chef demonstrations.
The college also had a stand in the cheese marquee informing the public about cheesemaking and selling Reaseheath’s butter and cheese.
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