We are all missing the cheese events and awards this year, which are usually an important part of our calendar. Sadly, the British Cheese Awards and International Cheese Awards have both been postponed due to the Coronavirus crisis. These are important events for our British cheesemakers to showcase their cheese, network within the industry and gain recognition for their efforts.
It has been a really tough year for independent British cheesemakers and so a team of industry experts decided to form the Virtual Cheese Awards and give a boost to the industry. All profits from the event will be donated to charities supporting British dairies, makers and farmers.
Virtual Cheese Judging
Our Head of Wholesale Ruth Holbrook was part of the virtual judging team this week and judged more than 40 different cheeses over webcam from her home. Ruth is an experienced cheese judge and although this was her first virtual judging event, she was impressed at the official organisation and attention to detail.
“It’s been such a pleasure to participate in the VCA’s and help keep British cheese in the public eye. In the categories I judged, there were a number of phenomenal cheeses; I hope we manage to convey their quality over zoom!”
Thank you @thecheeseexplorer Ruth's partner judge for this Zoom photo of Ruth.
How to watch the Virtual Cheese Awards - Saturday July 18th
The ‘winners’ from each category of this week’s judging now go through to the live final on Saturday 18th where the Supreme Champion will be decided!
If you would like to watch the Virtual Cheese Awards live, you can register for your ticket here