Cheese Company is cream of the crop

A Northumberland company has scooped gold in a global cheese competition.
Northumberland Cheese Company, located on the Blagdon Estate, has with its handmade Kielder product claimed a gold medal in the World’s Best Jersey Cheese Awards 2010, which this year attracted over 100 entries from cheese makers around the world.

 Kielder cheese is made using milk from Northumberland’s only pedigree and longest established Jersey herd at Wheelbirks’ farm in Stocksfield, which has been supplying the Northumberland Cheese Company with milk for the past five years.

Managing Director of the Northumberland Cheese Company Mark Robertson said: “It is very gratifying to be one of just four UK cheeses to be awarded a gold medal in these international awards. It is very good for the team, particularly for our cheese maker Martin Atkinson who is the experienced pair of hands behind this special cheese.”

Of the Kielder, Mr Robertson said: “It has a rich, buttery flavour with a nice hint of lemon and a creamy after taste. Considering it is made with rich milk, the Kielder is a lovely light cheese. It gives a wonderful sense of connection with the earth and grass.”

Sourcing milk from the Wheelbirks herd is part of Northumberland Cheese Company’s ethos to use only the best traceable ingredients.

“The milk is local, tastes delicious, is a quality product and travels a short distance of just 15 miles to reach our premises,” said Mr Robertson, who established the Northumberland Cheese Company in 1986.

“Being involved in Northumbria Larder as members and with also support for the North East Food and Drink Group, by its tenant we are keen to establish value to our products by fostering cooperation with other Larder members and across the region, overall.”

The awards, held in Jersey, are an opportunity for cheese makers from around the world to present their Jersey milk cheese. Entries were judged by a mixed panel of experts and local chefs, headed up by UK cheese expert John Allison, who gave each entry a score out of 50.

Judge John Allison said: “The Gold Medal winners were of an extremely high standard and would have ranked as such anywhere in the world.  I was amazed by the variety of cheeses made from Jersey milk.  The diligence and skill of the panel of judges made it an enjoyable and worthwhile competition.”

Northumbria Larder’s General Manager Sandy Duncan said: “I would like to congratulate Mark Robertson and his team on taking this prestigious international award. The Northumberland Cheese Company adheres to the highest standards of production, using the finest traceable and local ingredients while melding together traditional cheese making craftsmanship with the best modern practices.

“The successful collaboration between Northumberland Cheese Company and Wheelbirks has produced a winning product, indigenous to our region which has once again placed the north east on the culinary map.

 “Northumbria Larder is always keen to encourage and promote good working relations between regional producers. This is a fantastic example of local producers working together and creating a winning product that stands out on a global platform.”

Hugh (?) Richardson of Wheelbirks Dairy said: “We are absolutely thrilled for the Northumberland Cheese Company and that Mark has won this prize. We are delighted to be supplying the milk for his products. The awards are putting Jersey cheese more on the agenda and are spreading the word that quality Jersey products originate from the world over, not just the islands themselves.”

The Northumberland Cheese Company’s Kielder cheese is available to buy at selected Sainsbury stores, Northumberland delicatessens, farmers markets and from the Northumberland Cheese Company’s shop on Green Lane in Blagdon or online at www.northumberlandcheese.co.uk