Nothing cheesy about these awards

Judges from Ireland and the UK tasted, judged and decided and it seems they liked Cork cheeses quite a bit – and why wouldn’t they?

We have the best cheeses in Cork - cheeses that have competed and won awards on the world stages against cheeses from France and other countries. The Irish Cheese Awards is the only competition dedicated to Irish cheeses and Cork cheeses have always been successful and 2021 has been no different.

This year’s supreme winner – the best of all cheeses – is Templegall by Hegarty Cheese in Whitechurch.

Basically just seven minutes’ drive from my house, farmer Dan Hegarty provides milk while French cheesemaker Jean Baptiste Enjelvin turns this milk into tangy cheddar and smooth Templegall. This partnership of Dan and JB has created a dynamic that is very successful.

Hegarty’s cheddar is a sharp cheddar that has been matured for two years, cared for by Jean Baptiste before each wheel is ready to be cut. Templegall is the latest cheese produced on the Whitechurch farm and is based on a Swiss/Comte style cheese but with the Irish flair our cheese are so famous for.

JB cares for his cheeses, turning, brushing them every day – nothing is rushed or automated.

Cheesemaking as it has been since the beginning. The result are beautiful cheeses and deserve recognition. I was so delighted when I saw that Hegarty’s got supreme champion last week as it shows that hard work and dedication pays off.

Other Cork winners were Macroom Buffalo Buffaloumi – a take on the Greek haloumi. I had it a while ago and it is utterly delicious but not to worry, their amazing mozzarella also scooped up a medal.

I was also delighted that Gudrun and Frank Schinnick of Fermoy Natural Cheese are back after a break from cheesemaking to what they do best -making outstanding cheese and their St Gall and Cais Dubh with fenugreek took silver and gold in their categories.

We are great fans of Coolea Gouda and I was delighted to see that Coolea with cumin seeds took silver home in the Added Flavour category. Durrus and Gubbeen also took medals home – proof that the classics are as strong as ever.

For goats’ cheese lovers, Ardsallagh took home gold for their cranberry roulade and silver for the Greek-style cheese while Bluebell Falls was rewarded bronze for their honey, garlic and thyme goats’ cheese.

Congratulations to all winners and here’s to many more new cheeses that our cheesemakers are still creating, especially here in our beautiful Cork!