Cheese firm hopes to taste awards glory

The Blagdon-based company has reached the final in the best hard cheese category, for its Brinkburn.

Sales and marketing manager, Charlie Pears-Wallace, is delighted that the company is in the running to take the award.

She said: “Northumberland Cheese Company haven’t entered into these awards since 2013, but we felt that this year, there has been more of a spotlight on British produce, and it would be important to celebrate that.”

The Great British Cheese Awards recognise, promote and reward excellence in the artisan cheese industry.

It also celebrates the best of British cheese produced and distributed by independent cheese makers and retailers.

The Great British Cheese Awards stand apart from similar events as the general public have a large influence on recognising and rewarding outstanding British cheese.

More than 7,500 people voted for their favourite cheeses, producers and retailers and only those who received the most votes in each category have been shortlisted for an award. A team of specialist judges have together tasted and judged those who are shortlisted.

The overall category winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 25, at an awards ceremony to be held at The Gilbert Scott, an elegant British restaurant and bar by the team of celebrity chef Marcus Wareing, which is set within The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London.

The Northumberland Cheese story began in the Rede Valley more than 30 years ago, where founder Mark Robertson had a small flock of sheep from which he produced a ewe’s milk cheese; Redesdale. It was such a success with the locals that the range expanded and the company moved to the Blagdon Estate in 1996.