NZ Champions of Cheese 2019

The trophy winners of the 2019 Champions of Cheese Awards were announced late May. I’ve been eating my way through medal winning cheeses ever since.

For the record, Dutch-style cheeses got the biggest nod from the ‘Big Cheese’ (Australian Master Cheese Judge, Russell Smith). He said, ““Kiwis are fortunate to have a handful of brilliant cheesemakers here making these types of cheeses. I judge across the world and Dutch-style cheeses made in New Zealand are as good as anywhere in the world.” Of course, we already knew that (past awards have shown us this year on year), but thanks for the confirmation Russ!

The winners are (Ta-dah, bang the gong, whatever):

Meyer Cheese Goats Milk Gouda was named Countdown Champion of Champions (Commercial); and Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese, Cumin Gouda was awarded Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions (Boutique Cheese Award).

Meyer Cheese Goats Milk Gouda

Russell Smith said “It doesn’t come any better than this. This is a cheese you never want to finish – it’s just stunning. It’s superbly made and offers beautiful sweet, nutty flavours.” Made with 100% goats milk at the Meyer Gouda Farm and cheese factory, just out of Hamilton, this sweet, creamy cheese was also named Champion Goat Cheese at the 2019 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards.

Meyer Cheese is a fully-fledged family affair. After being established in Waikato in 1976 by Fieke and Ben Meyer, the next generation are at the helm today. Son, Miel took over as general manager in 2007 when Ben and Fieke retired. In 2011, eldest son Geert returned from The Netherlands to take on the role of head cheesemaker for the company. Geert also collected a trophy at the Awards when he was named Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker – the second year in a row he has won the title. Meyer cheeses are widely available at supermarkets and specialty retailers throughout New Zealand.

Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese, Cumin Gouda

Made to a traditional Dutch recipe, which adds the cumin seeds to the curd. After three to six months of ripening the refreshing lemon zing of the cumin flavours the whole wheel. According to Master Judge Russell Smith, Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese, Cumin Gouda “is an exceptional cheese.”

Anna and Bob Rosevear and their family have been making Mahoe cheese in the Bay of Islands since 1986. Son Tim takes care of the 60 Fresian cross-bred cows whose milk goes straight from the milking shed to the cheesery next door and is crafted into cheese by sons Jesse and Jake who work alongside a Dutch cheesemaker. Mahoe Cumin Gouda is available from the Mahoe Cheese Farm Shop on the farm in Oromahoe Bay and also from selected retailers across the country.

NZSCA chair, Neil Willman said this year’s awards have been a great success, with the reintroduction of judging of butter and yoghurt as well as the introduction of new categories. The new Sacco Systems Champion Fresh Italian Style Cheese was hotly contested with Viavio Limited, Viavio Burrata taking the title. This year the Huntley & Palmers Favourite NZ Specialty Cheese Shopping Experience was added to recognise excellence in retailing speciality cheese, this award went to C’est Cheese in Featherston.

Neil Willman paid tribute to the panel of 21 judges who assessed more than 280 cheeses, butter and yoghurt products in February. Additionally, he made special mention of the Awards sponsors. “The NZ Champion of Cheese Awards wouldn’t be possible without the businesses that support our industry and we are grateful for their generous contributions”.

I totally agree with his call. The Meyer Goats Milk Gouda is unbelievably sweet and nutty, with a long finish. Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese Cumin Gouda is sweet, mildy tangy and spicy and ends with a lemony finish.

In March this year 223 gold, silver and bronze medal winners were announced, and 26 trophies were handed out at the award’s evening in May. Here is the list of category trophy winners:

Category Trophies

Fonterra Cooperative Group Champion Original Cheese; Fonterra Brands NZ, Kāpiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue
New Zealand Food Safety Champion New Cheese; Puhoi Valley Cheese, Wainui Creamy White
Innovative Packaging Aspiring Cheesemaker; Daniel Bell, Barrys Bay
ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese; Fonterra Brands NZ, Kāpiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue
CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese; Puhoi Valley Cheese, Te Muri Triple Cream Brie
Kiwi Labels Champion Feta Cheese; Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Feta
Green Valley Dairies Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese; Zany Zeus, Zany Zeus Cream Cheese
Sheep Milk NZ Champion Sheep Cheese; Thorvald, Thorvald Feta
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese; Over the Moon Dairy, Galactic Gold
Caspak Champion Packaging Award; Puhoi Valley, Wainui Creamy White
Eurofins Champion European Style Cheese; Waimata Cheese Company, Waimata Cracked Pepper Haloumi
Delta Wines Champion Flavoured Cheese; Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Peppered Havarti
Sacco System Champion Fresh Italian Style Cheese; Viavio Limited, Viavio Burrata
Tetra Pak Champion Cheddar Cheese; Fonterra NZMP, Fonterra Hautapu NZMP Noble Cheddar
Big Chill Distribution Champion Farmhouse Cheese; Clevedon Buffalo Co
Good George Brewing Champion Goat Cheese; Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Goats Milk Gouda
Renco New Zealand Champion Export Cheese; Fonterra NZMP, Fonterra Lichfield NZMP Cheddar
NZSCA Champion Dutch Style Cheese; Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese, Cumin Gouda
Curds & Whey Champion Homecrafted Cheesemaker and Cheese; Jennifer Rodrige, Belle Chevre Flat White

Special Awards

New World Cheese Lovers’ Choice; Kapiti Kahurangi Blue
Innovative Packaging Aspiring Cheesemaker; Daniel Bell, Barrys Bay
Huntley & Palmers Favourite NZ Specialty Cheese Shopping Experience;C’est Cheese, Wairarapa
All Systems Go Auditing Champion Butter; Westland Milk Products, Westgold Salted Butter
Huhtamaki Champion Yoghurt; Zany Zeus, Zany Zeus Greek Yoghurt