Dale Farm sweep the ‘cheese board’ at Nantwich International Cheese Awards
Northern Ireland’s largest dairy co-operative enjoys the taste of success with 21 accolades at the UK’s largest one day show and biggest cheese exhibition in the world
Dale Farm has been rewarded once again for its outstanding cheese range, this time at the International Cheese Awards on Tuesday 26th July, held as part of the Nantwich Show. Home to world renowned brands including Dale Farm, Dromona and Fivemiletown, the Northern Ireland dairy co-operative owned by 1,300 farmers and the largest in the UK, walked away with an incredible 21 awards.
Now in its 119th year, the 2016 Nantwich Show saw two hundred expert judges sample and deliberate over a record-breaking 4,956 cheese entries. With winners handpicked by the best in the industry, Dale Farm collected 21 awards including 10 Gold awards, four Silver awards, four Bronze awards and three ‘Very Highly Commended’.
Cheese production more than doubled in the last year for Dale Farm, and the company was delighted to see its leading cheddar range recognised at Nantwich, with four products picking up Gold Awards. Among the Gold winners was Dromona Mature and Dromona Mild Cheddar, the number one locally produced cheese brand in Northern Ireland, made in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone for the past 30 years using milk from local farmers. Another two products that came out on top were two own-brand products, Pineapple Cottage Cheese and Sicilian Lemon Yogurt, sold by two of the UK’s leading retailers.
Following the recent re-launch of the company’s Fivemiletown range of cheeses, Dale Farm was especially thrilled to see it pick up a phenomenal five Gold awards, two Silver awards and one bronze award. These awards continue to build on the success enjoyed by the Fivemiletown brand in 2016 and are testament to the quality and exceptional taste of Fivemiletown’s artisan cheeses.
Stephen Cameron, Commercial Director at Dale Farm explains:
“The Nantwich Show attracts cheese and dairy products of the highest standard, so to have received 21 awards across our range is a fantastic result for us and a testament to the excellence and quality of our entire product portfolio,” said Mr Cameron.
“We pride ourselves on the quality of cheeses produced, and to continue to build on our success from 2015 with an additional ten awards is a huge achievement. Without the dedication and expertise of our cheesemakers, and milk from our 1,300 farmer owners, winning these awards just wouldn’t be possible.”
