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Get your free copy07 August 2020, 08:10 AM
- Like many events scheduled to take place this year, plans for the British Cheese Awards - traditionally held at the Royal Bath & West Show at the end of the spring bank holiday week - were paused as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic
The cancellation of the Royal Bath & West Show meant that the awards could not be held at its usual location - the Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
It has now been announced that the British Cheese Awards will now take place on 7th October at The Dairy Show in the same location.
The organisers hope that the new date will prove valuable to cheesemakers and retailers ahead of the festive season, when increased numbers of consumers look for award-winning cheeses.
Entries are now open and will close on 28th August.
Alan Lyons, head of shows, said, “We are really pleased to still be able to host this year’s British Cheese Awards at The Dairy Show, which ironically used to host Cheese Classes at its very first Show 40 years ago! There were only a handful of cheese classes to enter into at the time, but it is great to see those who entered all those years ago are still entering into the British Cheese Awards today! We have had a really positive response following the announcement of moving the awards, with lots of great entries coming in and a brilliant line up of judges.”
Julius Longman, chairman of the British Cheese Awards, said, “We’re glad that the British Cheese Awards will be able to go ahead after all, albeit looking a little different from previous years. It’s an important competition for the cheese industry as it promotes the huge diversity of cheeses we have in Britain.
“I’m glad to say that we will have some of the top judges in the country here who have agreed to come and judge at the British Cheese Awards on 7th October. I’m very much looking forward to watching the competition on the day.”
Rupert Cox, CEO of the Royal Bath & West Society, said, “We are delighted to be able to host the British Cheese Awards, especially after so many events have fallen by the wayside. We’ve been working hard on making sure that our Dairy Show can go ahead with all the latest guidelines on social distancing and cleanliness, and that seemed like an obvious fit for the British Cheese Awards.
“We’ll have some of the best cheesemakers in the country exhibiting at the show and looking at everything the Dairy Show has to offer - there is plenty of synergy for others in the industry alongside the latest technology and seminars.”
For a comprehensive overview of the cheese industry in 2020, including the challenges and successes experienced by cheesemakers, retailers and distributors, download The Future of Cheese Report for free here.
