Judges at this year’s British & Irish Cheese Awards have named a ‘playful’ French-style creation made in Tain as the best in Scotland.
Ooh La La from Highland Fine Cheeses took home the title of Best Scottish Cheese at the 30th anniversary edition of the awards, hosted at the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet in Somerset on Friday, March 20.
A Scottish take on the classic St. Félicien variety, the lactic cheese is ‘super soft and silky’, with a delicately textured geotrichum rind. Made with cow’s milk and a little extra cream, the cheese’s rich and buttery character is said to be balanced with vegetal, savoury notes.
Rory Stone, head cheesemaker at Highland Fine Cheeses, said: “The handicap of UK speciality cheesemaking is always consistency, we can all make 100 versions and find one capable of lifting a prize, the real trick is to be able to replicate the trick so that the worst is only 5% away from the best.
“Ooh La La has been torturous and in the making for eight years. Luckily, I worked out what to do last year; I paid someone from just over the English Channel to show me.
“Light, lactic and silkier than French knickers. I might try selling some now.”
Highland Fine Cheeses are perhaps best known as the makers of ‘Minger’, an orange-tinged washed rind cheese so pungent that it was once dubbed the ‘world’s smelliest’.
The ‘Supreme Champion’ trophy at this year’s awards went to Dazel Ash from Rosary Goats Cheese, an ash-coated goat’s log made in the New Forest, while the Reserve Champion Cup went to Yarlington, a soft washed-rind cheese from King Stone Dairy in Gloucestershire.
All 600 entries were judged by over 60 experts, including cheesemakers, cheesemongers, cheese aficionados, buyers and commentators.
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Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were decided in round one, before all Gold winners were judged again to identify the category trophy winners.
Cheese lovers were able to view the British & Irish Cheese Awards judging arena throughout the weekend, as part of the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival.
Away from the judging area, the event also celebrated growers, producers and purveyors from the South West and beyond, featuring demonstrations, presentations and entertainment.
Dining and Cooking