fbpx
Print this page
Saturday, 04 May 2024 10:02

Fonterra cements position as the big cheese!

Written by  Staff Reporters
Fonterra’s NZMP Epicure - also sold as Mainland Epicure aged cheddar – took the top title of Woolworths Champion of Champions (Commercial). Fonterra’s NZMP Epicure - also sold as Mainland Epicure aged cheddar – took the top title of Woolworths Champion of Champions (Commercial).

Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.

The co-operative was the big winner at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards Gala Dinner in Hamilton on Thursday night.

Fonterra’s NZMP Epicure - also sold as Mainland Epicure aged cheddar – took the top title of Woolworths Champion of Champions (Commercial).

The judges described this as “Beautiful! An abundance of calcium lactate, intense good string mature flavour yet well balanced,

and clean. Pleasurable savoury tone, with fruity, sweet and nutty alongside.”

The rest of Fonterra’s haul included trophies for limited edition boutique cheese and commercial cheeses including: Mainland Special Reserve Chilli & Garlic Brie, which won two trophies; NZ Specialist Cheesemakers Association Champion New Cheese and Big Chill

Distribution Champion Fresh Flavour Added Cheese and Anchor Traditional Cream Cheese which collected the trophy for WINTEC Te Pukenga Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese.

Cathy Lang, the master cheesemaker and principal technologist at Fonterra Brands New Zealand Bridge Street site in Eltham, Taranaki, was – for the second time in three years - crowned as the country’s top cheesemaker. To win the coveted MilkTestNZ Champion Cheesemaker title each cheesemaker entered three cheeses of different styles showing their cheesemaking breadth.

Lang showed Kāpiti Artisan Ash Rind White; Kāpiti Artisan Bridge St Blue and Kāpiti Rarama. Lang made a remarkable transition into cheesemaking in 2005 after two decades in veterinary science. Her success is a testament to her ability to blend cheesemaking science with creativity. Since joining Fonterra in 2014 Lang has been instrumental in driving its NZ speciality cheese development, with

her dedication to excellence consistently recognised with numerous national and international accolades.

At the annual awards, 26 trophy winners were announced following an extensive evaluation in early March assessing more than 250 locally produced cheeses, with the finest 187 already honoured with gold, silver and bronze medals.

More like this

Cynical politics

OPINION: There is zero chance that someone who joined Fonterra as a lobbyist, then served as a general manager of Fonterra's nutrient management programme, and sat on the board of Export NZ, a division of lobbyist group Business New Zealand, doesn't understand that local butter (and milk and cheese) prices are set by the international commodity price.

Why is butter so expensive in New Zealand? Fonterra explains

Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.

Featured

T&G Global returns to profitability

Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.

Rural backlash over plan to cut police staffing

Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.

DairyNZ thanks farm staff

August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

National

Machinery & Products