I had some cheese to review this week, but I unfortunately ate it all before I had a chance to photograph it. Therefore, here is some filler a photo diary from the recent Royal Bath & West Show – an agricultural show that, for the first time this year, incorporated the British Cheese Awards. I think they need to work on allowing the visiting public to try the competition cheese, rather than having them in a sort of plastic wrapped museum format, but I concede that I know nothing of the logistics that go into such an undertaking (1,000 + cheeses sent in for judging). That said, feels like there are tricks being missed. But it is only the first.
Mix of Somerset gentlefolk at Bath & West
British Cider Championships held at Bath & West. Apparently, Bob Chaplin, of Doulting near Shepton Mallet, took the Fruiterers’ Trophy for the Supreme Champion British Cider, for his Broadpool Cider dry. “This is the pinnacle”, Bob said. “To have won the very first British Cider Championships is the high point of my cider-making career. There can’t be any greater honour.”
Very nice, bit of a rip off
Cider judging. I know a bloke what can knock you up one of those purple badges for a fiver. Go to car park C, ask for Geoff.
Mighty cider selection available at the bar. “I’ll have an ‘alf of the Barn Owl, please, stout yeoman of the bar.”
Cider makers demonstrating the traditional ways
The die hard fan
“I’m looking for something very specific: a photograph frame for a portrait of a horse with a lime green border. I’ve looked everywhere, I’m at my wits end – can you help?”
Prize pigs
Prize cow
Look at the size of this!
“Mm, good hooves…”
Clearly no fan of Keira Knightley
Another delicious, I mean, handsome looking beast
Buffing the undercarriage…
The Conquering Cheddar: Quickes Vintage Cheddar from Devon. Congrats to Mary Quicke!
Reserve Champ: Humming Bark by Carrigbyrne Cheese… intriguing little fellow
The King of Kings: Rosary Garlic & Herb by Rosary Goats Cheese. Release the hounds.
The Turo Files 
“Buffing the under-carriage” is a corker! Awards rather disappointing.
Cheers, thenewdeli!
And I’d be interested to hear why you thought the awards disappointing. Because of what won, or the process?
I should have added a ? to that statement as some folks I know, and then you, and now Fromage Homage were all mildly miffed at not being able to actually sample the cheeses……but then what do I know, I didn’t attend and if I was a cheese-maker having gone through the stress, angst and cost of getting there, I doubt I’d then also want to provide freeby tasters to Joe Public at large and their pesky little offspring!
I think the actual awards have been a wonderful idea, and have done so much to promote proper cheese.
Yep, you’re right there, especially farmhouse cheesemakers who have a minuscule marketing budget. But maybe some kind of initiative through specialist cheese shops, advertising the possibility of tasting cheese from all corners of the land for the price of a ticket that covers at least some of the cheesemakers’ costs, might be a start? Because what an opportunity for the cheese fan – so much in one place. But as you say: hooray for the awards and all that they’ve done so far.
Lovely pics! I went on the Saturday and did manage to scoff some of the cheese but I think you’re right – they could make so much more of it…everyone is just itching to snaffle some. Not much point in seeing a prize-winning cheese if you can’t get your hands on any.
Cheers FromageHomage. T’is true… I spent so much money on stuff I didn’t even really want, and oh how I wanted some Vintage Quickes and a Humming Bark. Maybe, instead of auctioning them off to charity, they should find a good steep hill and bung all the cheeses from the awards down them after judging – a la Gloucester Cheese Rolling – while a horde of Bath & Westers chase after them. And entry fee can go to charity… see my heart isn’t made of just cold, hard cheese.