Great British Cheese Awards 2017: the results

The Great British Cheese Awards, put on in partnership with Peter’s Yard, returned for a second year in 2017 to award the best and brightest in British cheesemaking. This year’s ceremony was held at The Gilbert Scott, in London, and saw the cream of the cheesemaking crop come together for an afternoon – and to find out who would take home an award.

Our awards differ from the majority of cheese competitions, as we let the public nominate and vote for their favourite cheeses, retailers and producers. Those with the most votes are then judged by an expert panel, who choose the overall winners. Every one of the runners-up and winners should be very proud of what they’ve achieved – take a look at who was awarded the top prizes below.

For the second year running the Cornish Cheese Company amassed more votes than any other cheese in the competition, clinching the People’s Choice award once more. ‘It feels tremendous as it’s such a great accolade to win,’ said owner Phillip Stansfield. ‘We do a lot of social media and work with our customers whenever we can, so it’s a great award to shout about. I think our cheese appeals to a broad spectrum of people as it’s not very harsh and has a full flavour.’

Runners-up: Godminster Organic Brie and Cornish Yarg

Fen Farm Dairy has become well-known for its ecological approach to cheesemaking, using heat exchange technology which uses the warmth of fresh cow’s milk to heat the water used for cleaning the creamery. But it’s the cheese they produce that really stands out. ‘For us this is a really important award as it’s for our cheese rather than our approach to business,’ said Jonny Crickmore. ‘We’ve only been making cheese for fourteen months, so it’s astounding – it’s kind of blown me away. I guess we might’ve won because we do the whole package; we’re passionate about being farmers and cheesemakers, have our own milk, look after the land and soil, then make and sell the cheese.’

Runners-up: Errington Cheese and Cote Hill Cheese

The best cheese shop in the UK went to The Bristol Cheesemonger founded by Rosie Morgan, who actually had her first taste of selling cheese at Country Cheeses – last year’s winners and this year’s runner-up. ‘It’s a bit of a shock as I didn’t expect to win, and I was already incredibly honoured just to make it to the final,’ said Rosie. ‘I suppose I might’ve won because I do everything on my own, have a huge amount of love for what I do and am part of a younger generation of cheesemongers. Everyone else in the category are such wonderful retailers, and we all champion local cheeses – it’s certainly a passion.’

Runners-up: Country Cheeses and George & Joseph Cheesemongers

Two Hoots Cheese produces Barkham Blue outside of Reading, and for the second year they took home the award for Best Blue. ‘It’s unbelievable really because we were up against some really stiff competition, and to win it for a second year is amazing,’ said Andy Rose, who owns Two Hoots cheese with his wife Sandy. ‘I think this awards ceremony is really nice and intimate – usually everyone is spread out over lots of tables, but this way we get to talk to all the other cheesemakers.’

Runners-up: Beenleigh Blue and Lanark Blue