7 Catalan cheesemakers recognised at World Cheese Awards

Barcelona (Gastroteca.cat).- Catalan cheesemakers won 3 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals and 1 Bronze Medal at the World Cheese Awards, a world cheese competition with over 2,700 cheeses from 30 countries. The results confirm that Catalonia is one of the highest quality cheese-making countries.

The World Cheese Awards took place from the 24th to the 28th of November in Birmingham, England. A total of 7 Catalan cheesemakers won 9 awards at the event. The Formatgeria Betara of Olost (Osona county) won the Gold Medal in ‘semi-hard goats’ milk cheese’ and a Silver Medal in ‘semi-hard ewes’ milk cheese’. The Formatgeria Sant Gil d'Albió of Llorac (Conca de Barberà county) won two Silver Medals for their Garrotxa cheese in the ‘hard goats’ milk cheese’ category and another in ‘semi-hard cheese produced on farm or dairy with a total output not exceeding a weekly average of 2t’. The Formatgeria Serrat Gros of Ossera (Alt Urgell county) received a Gold Medal in ‘goats’ milk cheese with additives’. The Formatges Artesans de Ponent of Almacelles (Segrià county) won the Silver Medal in the same category for their goats’ milk cheese with rosemary. Other winners included: a Silver Medal in ‘soft goats’ milk cheese’ for Formatges Bauma of Borredà (Berguedà county), a Gold Medal in ‘soft ewes’ milk cheese’ for  Formatges de Surp’s ‘Casa Mateu’ cheese, and a Bronze Medal in ‘hard goats’ milk cheese’ for Formatges Muntanyola.

“The recognition was a complete surprise. Among all of the candidates, I did not imagine that we would win the Gold Medal. Now we are just waiting to receive the ‘cheese’ label to put on our products”, said Dimas Corbera of Formatges Surp. Also satisfied with the award, Carlos Pàmpols of Formatges Artesans de Ponent said, “an award like this helps the industry move forward”.

Catalan cheesemakers won a total of 9 medals at the event, almost double the number from last year. They confirm the growing international projection of the sector. Of the 7 cheesemakers, 2 were also awarded last year: Formatges Bauma and Formatgeria Serrat Gros. Last year, they were joined by Formatges Mas El Garet. The World Cheese Awards is the most prestigious competition of cheeses in the world. This year’s event included 2,700 different cheeses that were judged by more than 200 experts.