Awards
NZMP™ cheeses savour results at prestigious NZ awards
NZMP™ awarded an incredible number of medals at the 2024 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards
05 Apr 2024
3 min
NZMP™ wins big again at the annual NZ Champions of Cheese Awards by taking out 6 gold medals, 6 silvers, and 2 bronze.
After a difficult job of tasting, smelling and examining 250 of the country’s finest cheeses, New Zealand’s top cheeses have been named. Judged by a mix of industry experts including cheesemakers, food technologists, cheese retailers and food writers, each cheese underwent careful scrutiny.
For the first time, Cheddar was judged in three age groups, which allowed the depth of flavour and complexity achieved by ageing or cellaring Cheddar to stand on its own. NZMP’s popular Epicure was one of our gold medal winners, taking out the Bulk Large Block Cheddar class. Aged 36 months to obtain a distinctive, sharp Cheddar flavour and crumbly texture, NZMP™ Epicure impressed judges with a pleasurable savoury tone, and hints of fruity, sweet and nutty flavours.
'One of the 253 cheeses presented to the judges.'
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.
In 2024, we’re celebrating 14 Cheese and Dairy Fats products named as medal winners across six categories.
The Gold Medal winners now go into the Champion of Champion Awards, to be announced on the 2nd of May.
"Amidst the high calibre of contenders, NZMP stood out with a spectacular medal tally. The announcement of our multiple wins was a moment of pure elation, reinforcing our position as a leader in New Zealand's vibrant cheese industry."
- Andrew Huxford, Senior Research Technologist, Fonterra Research & Development Centre.
Gold, Silver & Bronze Awards
NZMP Epicure;
Gold Award Winner
Judges’ tasting notes:
Beautiful! An abundance of calcium lactate, intense good string, mature flavour yet well balanced and clean. Pleasurable savoury tone, with fruity, sweet and nutty alongside.
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Tasty Cheddar;
Gold Award Winner
Judges’ tasting notes:
Balanced, clean, great body, very typically aged Cheddar, very nice cheese!
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Organic Cheddar;
Gold Award Winner
Judges’ tasting notes:
Savoury, clean flavour, and very good balance of flavours, deep brothy notes, fruity and clean finish on the palate.
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Special Reserve Cheddar;
Gold Award Winner
Judges’ tasting notes:
Very clean and balanced, well rounded and true to class. Aged Cheddar sharpness coming through nicely.
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Vintage Cheddar;
Gold Award Winner
Judges’ tasting notes:
Clean and balanced, very good example of an aged Cheddar, well-liked by the judges.
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Traditional Cream Cheese;
Gold Award Winner
Judges’ tasting notes:
Nice fat coming through, soft smooth texture, buttery, creamy, lovely tang.
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Mild Cheddar;
Silver Award Winner
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Edam;
Silver Award Winner
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Brine Salt Gouda;
Silver Award Winner
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP High Solids Cream Cheese;
Silver Award Winner
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Parmesan;
Silver Award Winner
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Tasty Lite;
Silver Award Winner
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Colby;
Bronze Award Winner
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
NZMP Mozzarella;
Bronze Award Winner
Organic Cheddar
| Gold award winner |
| Manufactured using fresh organic milk that is independently certified to internationally accepted standards. |
| Made in Hautapu |
Egmont
| Gold award winner |
| A young, semi-hard cheese with a unique, slightly sweet flavour and golden melt. A versatile cheese that blends well and lends itself to any application. |
| Made in Hautapu |
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Explore our diverse range of world-class cheeses, appreciated for their uniformity, consistency, performance and flavour.
Each year, the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards gives us the opportunity to celebrate our heritage and global leadership in cheesemaking with our unique characteristics and experience that spans more than 100 years. Across our range, we have the cheese to fit any application and suit a variety of tastes.
Fonterra has its own culture house with a vast range of high-quality cultures. These cultures are used in all NZMP™ cheeses made in New Zealand. Our unique performance system underpins our consistently exceptional quality.
As well as our impressive cheeses, our rich dairy history, focus on food safety, and passion for innovation enables us to continuously supply high-quality butters and dairy fat ingredients that perform in a wide range of applications.
To find out how you can create world-class products using our award-winning cheeses, talk to your NZMP™ Account Manager today.
