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Local producers do well at Irish Cheese Awards

November 12th, 2015 7:15 AM

By Southern Star Team

Michael Horgan of Horgan's Delicatessen Supplies and award winner Sean Ferry of Macroom Buffalo Cheese

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Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella has picked up a prestigious cheese award at a national competition, while another well-known West Cork cheesemaker was honoured at the same event.

MACROOM Buffalo Mozzarella has picked up a prestigious cheese award at a national competition, while another well-known West Cork cheesemaker was honoured at the same event.

Macroom Buffalo Cheese based in Clonclud, Macroom, has been named the Reserve Champion for the best ‘other milk’ cheese at the Irish Cheese Awards 2015. 

The results were announced at the inaugural Irish Cheese Awards ceremony and Dinner in Ballymaloe House in East Cork.

A total of 36 Irish cheesemakers were awarded at the most prestigious awards in the Irish cheese industry calendar. 

The Irish Cheese Awards is the only competition dedicated entirely to Irish cheese, with 145 cheeses from 29 companies judged this year, in 12 classes, by a panel of experts.

For the first time at the Irish Cheese Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to cheese maker Veronica Steele from Milleen’s Cheese, for her outstanding contribution to the farmhouse cheese industry. 

Veronica and her husband Norman began producing cheese in 1976 in Eyeries and she is regarded as one of Ireland’s first farmhouse cheese producers. 

Veronica was a pioneer in the farmhouse cheese revolution and found herself mentoring and tutoring other aspiring cheese makers.

Other big local winners which received awards on the night included Coolea Matured cheese in Macroom, and Durrus Cheese’ Smoked Mini Cheese.

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