Ireland’s Top Cheesemakers and Producers Announced at 2019 CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards
Complete list of winners below
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| 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 7th 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.
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| 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
