28 Jul 2010
Milk Link, the UK’s leading farmer-owned dairy co-operative and largest cheese manufacturer, triumphed at the Nantwich International Cheese Show - the ‘world cup’ of cheese shows - being awarded the titles of Reserve Supreme Champion, UK Supreme Champion, and Reserve UK Supreme Champion. Its creameries collected an outstanding haul of 48 individual awards, including an amazing 21 golds, competing against a field of over 3,200 cheeses from producers across the world.
Milk Link’s Taw Valley Creamery in Devon scooped a record 34 awards, of which 17 were golds, in categories including Mature Cheddar, Vintage Cheddar and the Past Masters Award. Its Mature Cheddar was awarded both Reserve Supreme Champion and UK Supreme Champion Cheese. Together with the Reserve UK Champion Cheese won by its Red Leicester, the Creamery scooped three of the four top prizes at the show.
Milk Link’s other creameries also excelled, with four awards for its speciality blue cheeses going to Milk Link’s Tuxford and Tebbutt Creamery based in Melton Mowbray. These included golds for its Whole Blue Stilton and Two Halves of Mature Stilton. Reece’s Creamery in Malpas also collected a further six awards including a gold for its Traditional Caerphilly.
Commenting on the results the Chief Executive of Milk Link Neil Kennedy said: “The recognition here at Nantwich, the world’s foremost cheese show, for the excellence of our creameries and their cheeses, makes both myself and everyone involved with Milk Link very proud.
“Our cheese makers deserve this resounding acknowledgement of their expertise, dedication and craftsmanship which deliver the really exceptional taste and quality of our products. This number of awards really marks the culmination of the success which has been building throughout the show season, and which is so important to the British dairy industry and in particular our farmers.”
Milk Link also excelled at the Royal Welsh Show earlier in the month, winning 16 awards overall, including three golds for their Reece’s Creamery Cheshire white, Tuxford and Tebbutt Creamery Stilton and Taw Valley Creamery Mature Cheddar coloured. Reece’s Creamery also picked up the coveted Best Regional Cheese title.
Milk Link produces a range of branded cheeses and butters, including Tickler, a fabulous extra-mature Cheddar produced in the heart of Devon; Lockerbie Cheddar and Butter, unique products with a special kick and “a wee bit of bite”; and the Cadog range of Welsh cheeses. The company also manufactures over 20 varieties of Cheddars, blue Stiltons and British regional cheeses for the retail, food service and ingredients sectors.
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