Gold, Silver and Bronze in World Cheese Awards for Doddington Dairy

International competition held in Spain sees local producer netting four prestigious medals against cheesemakers from across the world.

Award winning food producers, Doddington Dairy, near Wooler in Northumberland have won Gold, Silver and Bronze in the World Cheese Awards 2016, held in San Sebastian, Spain.

Winning Gold for ‘Darling Blue’ is one of Doddington Dairy’s latest achievements.  Named after Northumbrian heroine, Grace Darling, this is a creamy full-flavoured pasteurised cheese and is matured for around 3 months.

Silver awards were also given to the ‘Doddington’ which is a British ‘territorial’ cheese, whose caramel and nutty flavours place it between a Leicester and a Cheddar.  Silver was also awarded to the ‘Admiral Collingwood’, a semi-soft cheese which is washed in Newcastle Brown Ale.

Bronze was given to ‘Berwick Edge’, named after the local ridge overlooking the Dairy that gives it its name.  Often described as strong and fruity, this Gouda style cheese has a smooth texture and is a favourite amongst those who enjoy a strong, robust flavour.

Margaret Ann Maxwell, Cheesemaker at Doddington Dairy, adds: “The World Cheese Awards are extremely prestigious and collect together a vast array of cheese varieties from all continents.  Judging is done blind by teams of experienced cheese tasters.  To win an award is a great honour and achievement in a world market that is fiercely competitive”

The World Cheese Awards are organised by the Guild of Fine Food, which has been supporting and promoting speciality food producers for over 20 years.  This year’s competition was judged in San Sebastian, Spain, as part of the City’s status as 2016 International City of Culture.  The 62 categories of cheese were judged by teams of four experts, chosen from a group of 250 who were appointed to judge all the cheese in the competition.  All cheeses considered worthy of awards in each category received the coveted medals.  Last year’s competition was held as part of the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham, and was judged live in front of an audience of consumers.

Doddington Dairy has won many awards during its company history, often for innovation in flavour and production.  Most recently, they have scooped the BBC Food and Farming Awards for Best Producer in 2015.  Darling Blue was awarded best new cheese at the 2015 British Cheese Awards and Admiral Collingwood won Best New Cheese in 2007 in the Nantwich International Cheese Show, in Cheshire; one the great centres of British Cheese Production.

Further information and details of Stockists of Doddington’s Cheeses can be found on www.doddingtoncheese.co.uk  or by telephoning 01668 283010.