Mainland Winners Across The Board At Cheese Awards

Media release
1 April 2004

MAINLAND WINNERS ACROSS THE BOARD AT NEW ZEALAND CHEESE AWARDS

Mainland Products Limited has again dominated the New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards winning double the number of medals awarded to its nearest competitor.

The company won 118 medals, more than a quarter of the total medals awarded. 16 of these medals were Gold, 51 Silver and 51 Bronze at the New Zealand Champions of Cheese Judging Day, held yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Auckland.

The awards attracted 510 entries from 35 cheese makers. A panel of 20 New Zealand judges, comprised of 10 technical and 10 aesthetic judges, judged the awards. John Greeley, recognised as one of the world's leading authorities on cheese, led the panel.

Mainland Marketing Manager Sharon Angus says the awards, which saw Mainland garner top honours in eight categories, are a reflection of the growing maturity of the New Zealander's taste in cheese.

"The judges have recognised the growing sophistication of the New Zealand cheese consumer and a shift towards a broader variety of tastes and flavours - represented by the Mainland repertoire of products," Sharon Angus says.

"It's particularly satisfying to see Mainland's blue cheeses, which we have crafted to the New Zealand palate, with the creation of a creamier taste and texture, so well represented in the Gold Medals."

The Gold Medal Blue cheeses are Ferndale Blue de Montagne, Ferndale Maestro Blue and Ferndale Shades of Blue, which are a good representation of the different strengths and textures of blue cheese available on the New Zealand market.

The other Mainland Gold Medal winners were Ferndale Camembert, Ferndale Raclette, Ferndale Emmental, Ferndale Old Southern Waxed Aged Cheddar (Export), Ferndale Old Southern Waxed Smoked Cheddar (Export), Ferndale Shades of Blue (Export), Ferndale Raclette (Export), Galaxy Feta, Galaxy Parmesan, Mainland Cheddar Master's Smoked Cheddar, Tararua Traditional Cottage Cheese, Tararua Cottage Cheese with Garlic and Chives, and Tararua Roast Garlic and Onion Fromage Frais Dip. Sharon Angus says Mainland is delighted that its premium range, Ferndale, is so well represented in the company's Gold Medal tally, winning a total of 10 Golds.

"Our Ferndale cheeses are a combination of traditional recipes and techniques, sourced from around the world, and the finest New Zealand ingredients," Sharon Angus says.

"Clearly the Champions of Cheese judging panel agrees that our premium cheeses appeal to the most discerning tastes."

The champion cheeses of each category will be selected from the Gold Medal winners. The champions will be announced at a Gala Dinner on Friday, at Auckland's Hyatt Regency.

ENDS

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