There were a whopping 94 entries received in the Cheese and Dairy Section at the 2024 Kangaroo Valley Show.
This meant an epic tasting session for our open judging, which lasted six hours.
Our judge this year was Michael Cains from Pecora Dairy in Robertson. Pecora Dairy is a 200 acre artisan sheep milk dairy and cheesery, founded in 2011 by Michael and his wife Cressida. Pecora Dairy sponsor the Cheese and Dairy Section of the Robertson Show, and Michael is also the judge there.
Michael’s overall comments on the various categories were that the butters were especially good; in the yoghurt category there were some beautiful products; the soft unripened cheeses, such as feta, haloumi, and particularly the mascarpone, were of a good standard; the marinated cheeses were of a particularly good quality; the white mould cheeses, such as Brie, were a particular standout for him, and he enjoyed eating those; there was a very surprising number and variety of semi-hard and hard cheeses; and the washed rinds were pleasurable to taste.
For Michael, Blue Cheese was the most outstanding category, which he found interesting as it is the most challenging cheese to make. He was very impressed with the marbling achieved and the textures, and commented that anyone who entered a blue cheese was to be congratulated.
Attendees of the open judging said that they picked up quite a few hints and tips to try at home to improve their cheesemaking skills. Entrants for the Cheese and Dairy Section receive individual feedback on each of their products, which many consider very valuable.
The winner of the Carole Willman Perpetual Trophy Champion Cheese was Pam Swinfield with her blue mould cheese Forme D’Ambert. And we are excited to announce that Pam was also the Most Successful Exhibitor – anyone who has had the chance to taste any of Pam’s cheeses will not be at all surprised by this result.
Congratulations to all the winners – and particularly to every person who provided an entry. We look forward to welcoming your homemade creations next year.
Want to learn how to make your own cheese and dairy products?
Valley Cheesemakers offers Cheesemaking Workshops in Kangaroo Valley.
Get in touch by email info@valleycheesemakers.com.au or visit our website at www.valleycheesemakers.com.au.
