Taste of the Week. Choice of three

Taste of the Week. 

Choice of three.

Choose one, or all three!

I've been enjoying some superb Irish-made cheese in recent weeks. It is tough to pick one as Taste of the Week so I'll highlight all

Nine Cork Farmhouse Cheesemakers Honoured At CÁIS 2024. Hegarty’s ‘Templegall’ Retains Title Of ‘Supreme Champion’

Nine Cork Farmhouse Cheesemakers Honoured At CÁIS 2024 Hegarty’s ‘Templegall’ Retains Title Of ‘Supreme Champion’ 

Supreme Champion again for Dan Hegarty (left) with cheese makers Jean-Baptiste Enjelvin
 and Quentin Duboz. Pics by Finbarr O'Rourke

Nine Farmhouse Cheesemakers from across Co. Cork were honoured this week at the 2024 Irish Cheese Awards during a prestigious ceremony hosted by CÁIS, the Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers, at Kilshane House in Co. Tipperary on Wednesday April 24th. Between them they took home a total of fourteen awards - the most of any county. 

The biennial celebration of Ireland’s farmhouse cheesemakers, now in its tenth year, named winners across

Taste of the Week. Knockanore Vintage Cheddar

Taste of the Week

Knockanore Vintage Cheddar

Not for the first time, Knockanore Vintage Cheddar is our Taste of the Week. As it matures on the farm in West Waterford, the cheddar becomes drier and more crumbly. It has the expected subtle and creamy tones but is stronger than the younger version with a delicious satisfying tang that cheese lovers crave.


Knockanore Cheddar is produced using raw milk on the Lonergan farm in Ballyneety, Co. Waterford. All of the milk used comes from their pedigree herd of Friesian cows that graze on the lush rolling hills of the countryside. It is produced using traditional cheddaring techniques which involve stacking the cheese curds on top of one another to produce a firm but slightly open textured cheese.

Eamonn and Patricia Lonergan began making cheese on their Knockanore farm in 1987. The cows graze on quality grass, they’re milked and the Lonergans use traditional methods to make a variety of delicious cheeses right on the farm. This beauty is just one of them! Well worth seeking out.

Ireland’s Top Cheesemakers and Producers Announced at 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards

Ireland’s Top Cheesemakers and Producers Announced at 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards

Complete list of winners below

Supreme Champions - Marion Roeleveld (left) and Sinead Egan of Killeen Farmhouse Cheese

A huge selection of Ireland’s farmhouse cheesemakers and producers gathered this evening (Thursday 7^th November) at Cork’s Metropole Hotel, eager to learn who had struck gold – and silver and bronze – during the 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards. The list of worthy winners incorporated the finest cheesemakers currently operating in Ireland with 30 industry movers and shakers from all across the country walking away with a coveted award.

Hosted by MC and presenter of RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground Helen Carroll, the prestigious biennial event featured speeches from key CÁIS figures including Chairman Louis Grubb, Chairman of Bord Bia Dan MacSweeney and members of the trade, as well as one of the expert judges John McKenna. Guests were treated to a sumptuous 5-course meal prepared by the Metropole’s Head Chef Stuart Dardis during which 22 award winners – including the Public Vote Award, CÁIS Appreciation Award, Supreme Champion and gold medal winners – were announced. Thursday’s ceremony saw members of CÁIS; key supporters such as Bord Bia, Pallas Foods, Ornua, Horgan’s and Traditional Cheese; judges; cheesemakers; members of the public and trade representatives congregate in celebration of the abundant, diverse and exquisite range of Irish farmhouse cheeses produced on home soil.

The Munster region saw an abundance of gold medal winners, while silver and bronze medalists covered ground from Co. Wicklow to the Aran Islands, with many stops in between. Some of Ireland’s most well-known cheesemakers, such as Coolea Farmhouse Cheese, Durrus Cheese, Bandon Vale and Ardsallagh Farmhouse Cheese were awarded across multiple categories, as were the Tipperary-based Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers, Waterford-based Knockanore, Galway-based Killeen and Dozio’s of Mayo from the West of Ireland.

Guests at the gala event were particularly eager to hear the results of three of the biggest awards of the night. The first of these to be revealed was the winner of the Public Vote; a category that was introduced for the first time in 2019 and received more than 1,000 votes from members of the public. Macroom-based producer Coolea Farmhouse Cheese was announced as the clear winner, with the Willelm family delighted to accept the award. The CÁIS Appreciation Award was next to be announced and was presented to 2019 judge Dr Kieran Jordan by Chairman of CÁIS Louis Grubb. The final and most anticipated award-winner of the night – Supreme Champion – was announced as Marion Roeleveld for her 5-month matured Killeen Goats Cheese for the Simply Better at Dunnes Stores range, who received rapturous applause from attendees as they made their way to the stage.    

Congrats all round for Supreme Champion (centre front)

Since the previous awards ceremony, which took place in 2017, a range of new cheeses and cheesemakers were also introduced and commended on the night. The winners of the ‘New Cheese (available in last 2 years)’ category hailed from all corners of the country, with Dozio’s of Mayo’s Barr Rua Alpine Style cheese (gold medalist), Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese’s Allenwood Smoked (silver medalist) and Kilnalahan produced by Galway’s Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese (bronze medalist) all scooping awards. Cheesemakers new to the market since 2016 were also rightly showcased and welcomed into the fold, with the brains behind Bó Rua Farm Original Farmhouse Cheddar (Bó Rua Farm) and Sheep's Milk Halloumi (Ballyhubbock Farm) winning silver and bronze medals respectively, while Michael Finegan of Boyne Valley Bán (Boyne Valley Farmhouse Cheeses) walked away with gold.

This year’s selection of judges included a number of well-known personalities such as Catherine Fulvio, TV chef, award-winning food writer, author and proprietor of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School; Ross Lewis, Michelin Starred Head Chef at Chapter One Restaurant in Dublin; and food writers/bloggers Patrick Hanlon and Russell Alford, collectively known as The Gastrogays. The elite judging panel also includes Patrick Clement, Head of Culinary at Pallas Foods; Dr Matthew O’Callaghan OBE, member of UK Protected Food Names Association and Artisan Cheese Fair organiser; Catherine Mead OBE, Chairperson of Specialist Cheesemakers Association (UK) and cheesemaker/owner at Lynher Dairies; Aoife Carrigy, freelance food writer and editor; Dr John McKenna, food writer; Enda Howley, Cheese Grading Expert with Ornua; Monica Murphy, cheese  and wine expert; Rory Mellis, Wholesale Director of Mellis Cheese LTD; Dr Kieran Jordan of Teagasc; Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better Brand Manager for Dunnes Stores; and John Leverrier, Quality Manager of Sheridans Cheesemongers.

Commenting ahead of the awards ceremony, Padraig O’Farrell of CÁIS said: “The Irish Cheese Awards provide those involved in the industry with a wonderful platform to showcase their work and to transform their brands into household names within Ireland and beyond. The event itself also offers an opportunity for producers, both on a large and small scale, to network and build community links.”

Also speaking ahead of the event, Dan MacSweeney, Bord Bia’s Chairman, said: “While these awards recognise individual excellence, all 68 farmhouse cheesemakers can take an equal share of the credit for the outstanding contribution that the sector, valued at €12 million, has made to the Irish dairy industry, our culinary culture and to local communities.”

For more information on CÁIS and the Irish Cheese Awards 2019 and to view the full list of winners online, visit www.irishcheese.ie. For social media updates, follow CAISIreland on Facebook and @caisireland on Twitter or follow the conversation using #IrishCheeseAwards.

Complete List of 2019 Irish Cheese Awards Gold Medal Winners:

• Class 1: Creamery mild cheddar up to 6 months – Aldi Irish Mild White Cheddar produced by Glanbia
• Class 2: Creamery mature cheddar over 6 months – SuperValu Signature Taste Vintage Red Cheddar (counter product) produced by Newmarket Creamery
• Class 3: Retailer Class (soft, semisoft, flavour added) – SuperValu Signature Tastes Gortnamona produced by Cooleeney Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 4: Retailer Class (hard cheese) – Dunnes Stores Simply Better 5-Month Matured Killeen Goats Cheese produced by Killeen Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 5: Soft/Fresh Cheese (all milks) – Bluebell Falls Cream Cheese produced by Bluebell Falls
• Class 6: Goats Cheese under 2 months – Gurteen Baun Button produced by Galway Goat Farm
• Class 7: Goats Cheese over 2 months – Killeen Goat Mature produced by Killeen Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 8: Sheep's Cheese – Shepherd's Store produced by Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers
• Class 9: Bloomy Rind Cheese – NO GOLD WINNER
• Class 10: Washed Rind Cheese – Gubbeen produced by Gubbeen Farmhouse Products
• Class 11: Blue Cheese – Crozier Blue produced by Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers
• Class 12: Semi hard cheese aged under 6 months – Dunmanus produced by Durrus Cheese
• Class 13: Semi hard to hard cheese aged over 6 months – Coolea Mature produced by Coolea Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 14: Soft Cheese - Flavour Added – Zing with Apricot & Almond produced by Dozio's of Mayo
• Class 15 - Hard Cheese - Flavour added – Coolea Mature Cumin produced by Coolea Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 16: Smoked Cheese – Knockanore Oakwood Smoked Cheddar produced by Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 17: New Cheese (last 2 years) – Barr Rua Alpine Style produced by Dozios of Mayo
• Class 18: Best Raw Milk Cheese – Templegall produced by Hegarty Cheese
• Class 19: New Cheesemaker since 2016 - Boyne Valley Bán produced by Boyne Valley Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 20: Public Vote Winner – Coolea Farmhouse Cheese
• CAIS Appreaciation Award – Dr Kieran Jordan, Teagasc (retired)  
• Surpreme Champion – Marion Roeleveld, Killeen Farmhouse Cheese
  
   
  
  Complete List of 2019 Irish Cheese Awards Silver and Bronze Medal Winners:
• Class 1: Creamery mild cheddar up to 6 months
• Silver: Dunnes Stores My Family Favourites Irish Mild White Cheddar 500g produced by Bandon Vale for Dunnes Stores
• Bronze: Tesco Mild Red Cheddar produced by Wexford Glanbia
• Class 2: Creamery mature cheddar over 6 months
• Silver: Tesco Extra Mature Irish White Cheddar produced by Carbery Foods Ltd.
• Bronze: Dunnes Stores Single Batch Selection Grader's Choice Cheddar 200g produced by Bandon Vale for Dunnes Stores
• Class 3: Retailer Class (soft, semisoft, flavour added)
• Silver: Simply Better Ripe Cooleeney produced by Cooleeney Farmhouse Cheese / Traditional Cheese Company
• Bronze: Simply Better Ardsallagh Goats Cheese produced by Ardsallagh Farmhouse Cheese / Traditional Cheese Company
• Class 4: Retailer Class (hard cheese)
• Silver: Dunnes Stores Gubbeen Cheese produced by Gubbeen Farmhouse
• Bronze: Dunnes Stores Single Batch Selection Grader's Choice Cheddar 200g produced by Bandon Vale for Dunnes Stores
• Class 5: Soft/Fresh Cheese (all milks)
• Silver: Ardsallagh Soft Goat's Cheese produced by Ardsallagh Farmhouse Cheese
• Bronze: Galway Goat Farm Fresh Goats Cheese produced by Galway Goat Farm
• Class 6: Goats Cheese under 2 months
• Silver: Aran Island Soft Pearls produced by Aran Islands Goat's Cheese
• Bronze: Boyne Valley Bán produced by Boyne Valley Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 7: Goats Cheese over 2 months
• Silver: Clonmore Goat's Cheese produced by Clonmore Cheese
• Bronze: Aran Island Hard Goat's Cheese produced by Aran Islands Goat's Cheese
• Class 8: Sheep's Cheese
• Silver: Cais Na Tire Gouda produced by Cais Na Tire Cheese
• Bronze: Cais na Tire produced by Cais Na Tire Cheese
• Class 9: Bloomy Rind Cheese
• Silver: Wicklow Baun produced by Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese
• NO BRONZE WINNER
• Class 10: Washed Rind Cheese
• Silver: Milleens Dote produced by Milleens Cheese Ltd.
• Bronze: Durrus produced by Durrus Cheese
• Class 11: Blue Cheese
• Silver: Cashel Blue produced by Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers
• Bronze: Kerry Blue produced by Knockatee Natural Dairy
• Class 12: Semi hard cheese aged under 6 months
• Silver: Carrig Bru matured by Sheridan’s Cheesemongers
• Bronze: Ella – Irish Furmagella produced by Dozio's of Mayo
• Class 13: Semi hard to hard cheese aged over 6 months
• Silver: Mount Leinster Clothbound produced by Coolattin Cheddar
• Bronze: Mossfield Organic Mature Cheese produced by Mossfield Organic Farm
• Class 14: Soft Cheese - Flavour Added
• Silver: Bally Goats Cheese- Garlic & Thyme produced by Bally Goats Cheese
• Bronze: Ardsallagh Cranberry Roulade produced by Ardsallagh
• Class 15 - Hard Cheese - Flavour added
• Silver: Castlefarm Fenugreek produced by Carlow Farmhouse Cheese for Castlefarm
• Bronze: Killeen Goat Fenugreek produced by Killeen
• Class 16: Smoked Cheese
• Silver: Wicklow Gold Beechwood Smoked produced by Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese
• Bronze: Durrus Smoked produced by Durrus Cheese
• Class 17: New Cheese (last 2 years)
• Silver: Allenwood Smoked produced by Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese
• Bronze: Kilnalahan produced by Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 18: Best Raw Milk Cheese
• Silver: Kilmichael Soft Goat's Cheese produced by Sunview Goats
• Bronze: St. Tola Ash Log produced by Inagh Farmhouse Cheese
• Class 19: New Cheesemaker since 2016
• Silver: Bó Rua Farm Original Farmhouse Cheddar produced by Bó Rua Farm
• Bronze: Sheep's Milk Halloumi produced by Ballyhubbock Farm

press release on behalf of CAIS

Top Cheesemakers to be Recognised at 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards

Introducing the Big Cheese!

~Ireland’s Top Cheesemakers and Producers to be Recognised at the 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards~

 

At the judging (l-r) Monique Kelleher (Communication Manager, Ornua), Ross Lewis (Chapter One), Catherine Fulvio and Enda Howley (Expert Cheddar Grader, Ornua). 

This is one date you don’t want to miss! The upcoming 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards is due to take place this coming Thursday November 7^th at Cork’s Metropole Hotel, with winners to be commended during a lavish black-tie gala dinner. 2019 marks the eighth year of the biennial awards and CÁIS, the Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers, have seen the bar suitably raised thanks to over 200 entries from 50 Irish farmhouse cheese producers.

The prestigious ceremony will see members of CÁIS; key sponsors such as Ornua, Pallas Foods and Bord Bia; judges; cheesemakers; and members of the public congregate in celebration of the abundant, diverse and exquisite range of Irish farmhouse cheeses produced on home soil. This truly unique ceremony is exclusively dedicated to both artisan and large-scale cheese producers from all corners of Ireland, with competition stiffer than ever before as entrants go for gold.

Those in attendance on the night will enjoy a gourmet 5-course dining experience courtesy of this year’s bespoke menu, which will incorporate a selection of winning cheeses from the 2017 awards. Mouthwatering dishes will be carefully curated by the Metropole’s Head Chef Stuart Dardis, who has garnered a strong food-lover following since taking over the kitchen at the Metropole. MC for the evening will be none other than journalist and broadcaster Helen Carroll from RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground, adding star quality to a prestigious event that has been creating quite a buzz among the Irish food community.

This year’s selection of judges includes a number of well-known personalities such as Catherine Fulvio, TV chef, award-winning food writer, author and proprietor of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School; Ross Lewis, Michelin Starred Head Chef at Chapter One Restaurant in Dublin; and food writers/bloggers Patrick Hanlon and Russell Alford, collectively known as The Gastrogays. The elite judging panel also includes Patrick Clement, Head of Culinary at Pallas Foods; Dr Matthew O’Callaghan OBE, member of UK Protected Food Names Association and Artisan Cheese Fair organiser; Catherine Mead OBE, Chairperson of Specialist Cheesemakers Association (UK) and cheesemaker/owner at Lynher Dairies; Aoife Carrigy, freelance food writer and editor; Dr John McKenna, food writer; Enda Howley, Cheese Grading Expert with Ornua; Monica Murphy, cheese  and wine expert; Rory Mellis, Wholesale Director of Mellis Cheese LTD; Dr Kieran Jordan of Teagasc; Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better Brand Manager for Dunnes Stores; and John Leverrier, Quality Manager of Sheridans Cheesemongers.

The judges were tasked with the particularly difficult job of putting the eclectic variety of cheeses to the taste test to identify their chosen worthy award winners. Each cheese entered was assessed under three key criteria: flavour and aroma, body and texture, and overall appearance of cheese, while packaging and branding was also taken into consideration within the ‘Retailer’ and ‘New Cheesemaker’ categories. The judging process was a thorough, in-depth exercise, with each judge working hard to ensure the efforts of the country’s finest cheesemakers were awarded accordingly.

The 2019 ceremony will also – for the first time ever – see a prize be awarded to one lucky winner as a result of a public vote. In the lead up to the event, CÁIS appealed to the general public to share their valued views, inviting cheese lovers to cast their vote for their favourite Irish farmhouse cheese. The winner of this category will be announced on the night.

Commenting ahead of the awards ceremony, Padraig O’Farrell of CÁIS said: “The Irish Cheese Awards provide those involved in the industry with a wonderful platform to showcase their work and to transform their brands into household names within Ireland and beyond. The event itself also offers an opportunity for producers, both on a large and small scale, to network and build community links.”

He continued: “It’s a busy and exciting time for those involved in the Irish Cheese Awards, with competitors and judges alike eager to see the superb range of produce quite literally brought to the table. We have a wonderful list of entrants this year and we are excited to promote and commend these top-quality producers and brand names through these important awards.”

A limited number of tickets are still available for the event. Priced at €69 per person, tickets for the 2019 Irish Cheese Awards are available from Eventbrite online or alternatively, can be purchased on the CÁIS website by visiting www.irishcheese.ie/irish-cheese-awards. For more information on CÁIS and the Irish Cheese Awards 2019, visit www.irishcheese.ie. For social media updates, follow CAISIreland on Facebook and @caisireland on Twitter or follow the conversation using #IrishCheeseAwards 

  

Issued on behalf of CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards 2019 

  

Catherine Fulvio joins judges at 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards

media release

A Question of Taste:

Catherine Fulvio among team of expert judges as the 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards welcome over 200 entries from 50 Irish farmhouse cheese producers

The biennial Irish Cheese Awards has once again become the talk of the town among the Irish food lovers’ community. With less than one month to go until the prestigious ceremony, it was finally time for the group of expert judges to come together this week (Wednesday 9^th October) to select a worthy list of winners and decide upon the best in class for 2019.

Now in its eighth year, the Irish Cheese Awards is organised by CÁIS (Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers) in association with sponsors Ornua, Pallas Foods and Bord Bia, the latter of whom has supported the initiative since its inception. It is the only competition dedicated entirely to Irish cheese. The event highlights the talents present in this country in the field of cheesemaking, with entries open to both artisan and large-scale cheese producers within the 32 counties on the island of Ireland. The comprehensive judging process took place at Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters, where famed TV chef Catherine Fulvio was joined by 13 of her fellow judges, including Ross Lewis, Head Chef and co-owner of Chapter One restaurant in Dublin; John McKenna, Editor of McKennas’ Guides; Aoife Carrigy, food, wine and travel writer; Enda Howley of Ornua; and Russell James Alford and Patrick Hanlon of GastroGays.

Following this all-important judging phase, 18 Irish cheeses have now been selected as Gold winners in their relevant categories, with the results to be announced and winners commended during the Irish Cheese Awards ceremony and gala dinner, which will take place on Thursday 7^th November at The Metropole Hotel in Cork.    

The exclusive event will be attended by judges, competing cheesemakers and members of the public eager to be the first to catch a glimpse of this year’s award winners, while enjoying a gourmet 5-course dining experience in the process. The bespoke menu will showcase a selection of 2017’s winning cheeses, with a range of dishes carefully curated by The Metropole’s Head Chef Stuart Dardis, who has garnered rave reviews from avid food lovers since taking over at the helm of the famous Cork hotel. MC for the evening will be journalist and broadcaster Helen Carroll from RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground.

For the first time in almost 10 years, CÁIS has appealed to the general public to share their valued views, inviting cheese lovers to cast their vote for their favourite Irish farmhouse cheese. Nominations will be accepted until Monday 21^st October and members of the public can cast their vote by visiting www.irishcheese.ie/publicvote. The winner of this exciting new category will be presented with their award during the black-tie event next month. A further two new categories have also been brought to the table for 2019, namely ‘Best New Cheesemaker’ (entrants must have entered the market since 2016) and ‘Best Raw Milk Cheese’.

With 20 categories overall, including this year’s addition of the public vote, judges were put through their paces as they endeavored to select the best on the block. Each cheese entered was judged and assessed under three key criteria: flavour and aroma, body and texture and overall appearance of cheese, while packaging and branding was also taken into consideration within the ‘Retailer’ and ‘New Cheesemaker’ categories. While undoubtedly an enjoyable job, the judging process was also a thorough, in-depth exercise, with each judge working hard to ensure the efforts of the country’s finest cheesemakers were accurately highlighted and commended.

Speaking as the competition officially got underway on Wednesday, expert cheese grader and judge Enda Howley of event sponsor Ornua, said: “At Ornua, we work collaboratively with Ireland’s cheesemakers to select and grade the finest cheddar to export all around the world. Ireland’s reputation as a quality food producer is greatly enhanced by our cheddar-making expertise coupled with the quality milk from grass-fed cows, our farmers’ produce. I am honoured to join the esteemed judges for this year’s Irish Cheese Awards, which demonstrates the incredible talent among our cheesemakers in Ireland.”

Also commenting as the 2019 judging process came to an end, chef and judge Ross Lewis said: “Ireland is currently experiencing a wonderful food movement and Farmhouse Cheeses have a strong position within this movement. The Irish Cheese Awards are not only celebrating these cheeses but showcasing the high standard of the Irish cheese sector, especially artisan cheese but also larger cheese companies. I am delighted to be part of the judging panel for the 2019 awards and it was a tough task to choose the best, as most of the cheeses we tasted today deserve recognition. At Chapter One, we have championed Irish produce since the beginning and are delighted to see how Irish food is now recognised beyond our shores.”

Originally formed in 1983, CÁIS has spent more than three decades educating its members in everything from the art of cheesemaking to business development and hygiene. Their promotion of cheese competitions has been a key factor in pushing Irish producers to showcase their work and as a result, increase brand awareness and knowledge and appreciation of local, artisan produce both nationally and internationally. Similarly, the Irish Cheese Awards recognises and highlights the talents present in this country in the field of cheesemaking, offering a prestigious platform to homegrown brands and promoting them among Irish consumers, encouraging shoppers to choose locally made produce.

Tickets for the 2019 Irish Cheese Awards cost €69 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite or through the website, www.irishcheese.ie/irish-cheese-awards. For more information on CÁIS and the Irish Cheese Awards 2019, visit www.irishcheese.ie. For social media updates, follow CAISIreland on Facebook and @caisireland on Twitter or follow the conversation using #IrishCheeseAwards