DOUBLE WIN FOR CHEESEMAKER

Michael and Mary Davenport

Cheesemaker Cote Hill Cheese is celebrating a double success – including a special “first” – after wowing the judges at this year’s British Cheese Awards.

Michael and Mary Davenport’s family farming enterprise scooped a gold medal for its latest temptation Cote Hill Lindum, which went on to be named Best New Cheese in the prestigious event, staged at the home of the Royal Bath and West Show.

The Davenports have, once again, been flying the flag for Lincolnshire produce and Cote Hill Cheese, a Select Lincolnshire member, is particularly proud of its latest achievement.

Michael Davenport said: “We have won many accolades for our cheeses over the past few years, but this is the first time we have been named the best in a category at these prestigious awards.

“We beat off about 68 other entrants in our category to take top honours and we are extra proud because Cote Hill Lindum, which is a washed rind cheese, was only developed by our son Joe last November.”

The rind of Cote Hill Lindum is washed in beer, which is produced by the Tom Wood Brewery from Barnetby in North Lincolnshire. The cheese complements five others in the Davenport’s popular range, including Cote Hill Blue, Cote Hill Yellow and Cote Hill Red.

The British Cheese Awards (BCA) celebrated its 21st year by making its home at the Royal Bath and West Show, based at Shepton Mallet. The National Cheese Awards ceremony has traditionally been held at the show for many years, but joining forces with the BCA has led to the introduction of many new classes.

The 2013 British Cheese Awards attracted more than 900 entries from 183 British and Irish cheesemakers. Together, they represented 71 per cent of all British cheesemakers.

For showgoers, enjoying a nibble of the latest award-winning cheeses is just one of the perks of visiting the Royal Bath and West Show, but Cote Hill Lindum has also been trialled locally (in Lincolnshire) and has being very well received.

Michael and Mary Davenport produce their much-loved cheeses using the creamy morning milk from their 70-strong herd of Friesian and Red Poll dairy herd. The couple have been dairy farming for more than 30 years and began cheesemaking in 2005.

Their success has already seen their cheesemaking enterprise having to be extended and cheeselovers are quick to track down their favourite products at farmers’ markets in Lincoln, Sleaford and Brigg, at farm shops and in selectedretail outlets. The Davenports also supply a selection of restaurants.