Waikato based Meyer Cheese claimed the Countdown champion of champions cheese in the commercial section of the New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards with their goat milk gouda and Northland’s Rosevear family won the boutique champion award with their cumin gouda from the Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese brand.
The 16th year of the national cheese awards had 223 gold, silver and bronze medal recipients, determined in an exhaustive tasting session held earlier this year led by Australian master cheese judge Russell Smith.
The Meyer family has been making cheese since 1976. The work has been continued by Miel, son of founders Fieke and Ben Meyer.
Eldest son Geert also picked up the champion cheese maker trophy for the second consecutive year, having arrived in NZ from Holland in 2011.
Smith said their goat milk gouda delivers sweet, nutty flavour. It was also champion goat cheese at the same awards.
The Mahoe offering followed a traditional Dutch recipe and Smith said it is an exceptional cheese.
The Northland family has been making cheeses in Bay of Islands for 33 years with milk supplied by their 60 Friesian cows run next to the factory.
The cheeses, yoghurts and butters entered in the competition were assessed by 21 judges and this year included the introduction of fresh Italian style cheeses, introducing types previously little known in NZ including burrata, a cheese similar to mozzarella.
The award for the best cheese retail experience went to Wairarapa cheese outlet C’est Cheese from Featherston.
