The Great British Cheese Awards (run in partnership with Peter’s Yard) has now been going for three years, and continues to grow at record speed. This year over 13,000 votes were received from the British public, who voted for producers, cheeses and retailers across seven categories. The winners were announced at a ceremony held at Somerset House in London, where the cream of the cheesemaking crop came together to celebrate everything fantastic about the British artisan cheese scene.

Our awards differ from the majority of other cheese awards in that the public vote for their favourites. The entries with the highest number of votes then make it to the shortlist, before a judging panel of top chefs, food writers and industry leaders decide the overall winners. On 17 October 2018, the category winners were revealed during a ceremony at Somerset House – take a look at who took home the top gongs below.

From a small herd of Anglo Nubian goats on a ten-acre farm in the Pennine Hills of Yorkshire (hence the producer’s name), Gillian and Tim Clough create Hebden Bridge, a wonderfully creamy goat’s cheese that’s aged for just three weeks before it’s ready to eat. As this was a sponsored category, Gillian and Tim have won return flights to Turin, Italy, plus two night’s accommodation and entry to ‘Cheese’ – a biannual Slow Food Festival held in Bra which celebrates artisan and traditional cheesemaking.

Runners-up: Fen Farm Dairy and Teesdale Cheesemakers

Founded in June 2013, ex-Neal’s Yard Dairy employees Dave Holton and Tim Jarvis started Blackwood’s to bring soft cow’s milk cheeses to southeast London. Five years later, they are the proud creators of Graceburn – a signature Greek feta-style cheese – and Edmund Tew, a raw organic cow’s milk cheese made in the style of Petit Langres. The latter is what clinched Blackwood’s the title of Best New Cheese Producer.

Runner-up: Feltham's Farm

There’s only one specialist cheesemonger in the whole of Leeds – thankfully, that cheesemonger is George & Joseph, one of the best in the country. Going since 2013, the shop is home to Yorkshire’s many incredible cheeses, plus plenty more from the rest of the UK (and beyond). The store’s members of staff hold a vast knowledge of cheesemaking and cheese matching, meaning you’re in good hands if you’re not sure where to start, and as a sponsored category, the owners have won a spot on the Academy of Cheese’s Level One Associate Course.

Runners-up: The Courtyard Dairy and Neal's Yard Dairy

A modern classic, Dorset Blue Vinny was first made forty years ago yet continues to be one of the UK’s most popular blue cheeses. Made to a 300-year-old recipe, the Davies family uses milk from its own herd of 270 Friesian dairy cows and matured the cheese for up to twenty weeks. The result is a slightly crumbly (yet still pleasantly creamy) cheese that has a mild, moreish flavour and a subtle tang on the finish.

Runners-up: Isle of Wight Blue and Stichelton

Based just outside Port Isaac in Cornwall, River Amble Creamery produces Cornish Jack, a hard cheese made in the Swiss style with a fruity, nutty flavour. It’s rich, incredibly moreish and a fantastic example of how good a melting cheese can be – which is exactly why it was named Best Hard Cheese at the awards.

Runners-up: Yorkshire Pecorino and Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire

Of all the incredible new cheeses that have made the UK cheese scene such a vibrant, exciting thing to be a part of, few have enjoyed the universal success of Tunworth, made by Hampshire Cheeses in Basingstoke. It’s made in the same way as French Camembert but is definitely a cheese of its own, with incredible mushroom flavours and a long-lasting sweetness on the tongue. The thick, creamy texture becomes oozy and practically liquid when brought up to room temperature, which simply adds to the indulgence.

Runners-up: Hebden Bridge and Baron Bigod

The Best Blue Cheese is also the recipient of this year’s People’s Choice award, which is won by whichever cheese receives the highest number of votes from the public. With its beautiful texture and moreish, mild flavour, it’s no wonder the people of the UK love Dorset Blue Vinny.

Runners-up: Hebden Bridge and Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire