NZMP™ cheeses recognised for excellence at NZ Cheese Awards

It was another stellar year for NZMP™ at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards with 5 gold medals, 7 silvers and 3 bronze.

This year marked the 22^nd NZ Champions of Cheese Awards at Hamilton’s WINTEC campus where 240 cheeses were put to the test to name New Zealand’s best cheeses. After a lengthy examination process, including tasting, smelling and examination, Master Judge Jason Tarrant, alongside a mix of thirty industry experts hand-picked their top cheeses, 199 of which took home the coveted gold, silver and bronze awards.

As with past years, the five gold medal winners are entered as finalists into the Champion of Champion Awards.

NZMP™ Traditional Cream Cheese, awarded gold for its texture, smooth flavour release, also claimed the coveted Champion of Champion trophy award in the “Fresh Unripened Cheese” category.

Louise Paulsen, Technical Engagement Manager, Dairy Foods at Fonterra says;

“This achievement reflects the dedication and effort applied to our entire cream cheese portfolio throughout the process. We continually challenge our capabilities and aim to increase our capacity. This recognition is for our original cream cheese, which has been manufactured for over 45 years, consistently delivering quality in flavor and performance, and remains a preferred choice.”

“We are pleased to have won the Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese award last night. At Darfield, we take pride in producing traditional cultured cream cheese. We have put significant effort into optimizing and innovating our process this season, and this award marks a successful year for us. We extend our gratitude to our Operators who work around the clock at Darfield, contributing to the production of this award-winning cheese.”

Matt Smith, Plant Manager at Fonterra – Darfield

Gold Medals also included last year’s Champion of Dutch Style Cheese, the NZMP™ Brine Salt Gouda, noted for its buttery, sweet, nutty and fruity notes with the perfect flexibility for slicing and shredding. 

This wasn’t the only repeat winner of the night. NZMP’s popular Epicure was awarded gold for its fourth year in a row. Aged 36 months to obtain a distinctive, sharp cheddar flavour and crumbly texture, NZMP™ Epicure made an impression with its savoury tone, pleasurable mouth feel and well balanced flavours.

For the second year, three NZMP™ cheddars were awarded gold medals in the Bulk Large Block Cheddar class. These included NZMP™ Mild Cheddar and NZMP™ Special Reserve Cheddar, both receiving compliments of distinction from the judges about their excellence.

By showcasing the extraordinary diversity and quality of New Zealand cheeses, the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards grow awareness and appreciation for these locally produced products. 

Andrew Huxford, Cheese Technical Business Support at Fonterra, who has a wealth of experience and has been involved in judging the NZ Champion of Champion Awards for 7 years, says;

“We’re thrilled to celebrate our medal achievements this year at the NZ Cheese Awards. These accolades not only affirm the exceptional quality of our cheese but also reinforce our reputation as a global leader in dairy excellence. From the farm to the final product, every step of our process reflects the dedication of our entire team to crafting world-class cheese that delights palates and showcases the best of our lush pastures.”

Champion of Champions Awards -

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