MORE CHEESE AND DAIRY AT GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW

With the importance of quality food at the top of the agenda, the Cheese and Dairy section at the Great Yorkshire Show is pulling out all the stops to showcase the best of British produce as it celebrates 21years since its first appearance at the Show.

The section was set up in 2002 to help boost the cheese and dairy industry in the aftermath of the foot and mouth disease outbreak. It returned to the Show last year after a two-year break due to Covid and the associated restrictions. 

Entries open early April via the Great Yorkshire Show website and close on Monday 22^nd May, with competitors aiming to bring the very best from across the UK and beyond. Last year’s cheese winner was a French cheese from the Champagne region, while the Dairy title went to a much more local entry with a blueberry pannacotta ice cream from Ryeburn of Helmsley. 

This year sees two new memorial trophies and four new classes as the section continues to grow. The memorial trophies mark the massive contribution made to the show by two significant figures in the world of cheese and dairy, David Hartley and Judy Bell.  David from Wensleydale Creamery, who passed away in 2020 was influential in the Cheese and Dairy Show being established at the Great Yorkshire Show.  Judy Bell MBE was Chief Steward for many years and a passionate supporter of the show and the industry. Her position as Chief Steward was filled by her daughter, Caroline, following her death last year.

Caroline said: “Along with the whole committee and the brilliant judges and stewards who make it all possible, it was an honour to bring back the Cheese and Dairy show in 2021 after the break due to Covid 19. It’s a very special event to champion cheese and dairy products and their producers and we’re excited to deliver again this year to showcase the best of the industry and engage the 140,000 visitors to the show into the Cheese and Dairy section.”

The new classes have been designed to reflect new ways of serving cheese, as well as celebrating the traditional. They are for:

• Cheese board – a traditional board often features hard, soft and blue cheeses but the judges want to see ideas for inspirational collections.
• Cheese celebration cake – how can cheese be incorporated into cakes for everything from weddings and anniversaries, to birthdays and christenings.
• Cheese based grazing board – grazing boards have become something of a trend in recent years as diners enjoy a variety of taste experiences.
• Reduced fat cheese - - huge advances have been made in this sector to allow those with dietary conditions to still be able to enjoy cheese and this class will celebrate that.

The new classes will take the schedule to 90 classes in total, including traditional cheese, ice cream, yogurt, butter and milk.

Charles Mills, Show Director, said: “We believe strongly that it is important for the Show to continue to evolve to encompass new ideas in every sector and we are delighted that, under Caroline’s guidance, the Cheese and Dairy section is highlighting the latest trends.”

The quality and calibre of the judges who come from all over the UK is exceptional and is made up industry experts from producers to commercial buyers. Chief Judge Terry Hudson said: “The Great Yorkshire Cheese and Dairy Show is the best in the country. The facilities at the show ground are exceptional, the standard of entries and calibre of the judges means that our job to pick the ultimate Champion is a challenge - this is testament to a great show.” 

Also new for this year is an area for visitors for the show to judge cheese themselves and learn about how to assess cheese like the pros. There will also be a schedule of events on the Cheese & Friends stage, from tasting challenges to hearing from the cheesemakers themselves.

Once the winners are awarded, an auction is held on the Thursday afternoon for visitors to bid for their favourites. Last year’s auction raised more than £5,500 for the Samaritan’s Regional Rural Initiative. This year the proceeds will be donated to the Herriot Hospice.

The dates for this year’s show are Tuesday July 11 to Friday July 14 2023. Farmer tickets are available for the 2023 show and available from farming outlets. 

Tickets are: Adults £32, Children £13 and Families £80

To book tickets, please go online https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ticket-information/