British and Irish Cheese Awards - Non Retailers
Event Date
20th Mar 2026
Fresh
The following classes are eligible for the Best Fresh Award.
Any Milk. Classic Examples: Cream Cheese, Aged Cerney.
Any Milk. Classic Examples: Cream Cheese, Aged Cerney.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Soft White
The following classes are eligible for the Best Soft White Award.
Classic Examples: Somerset Brie, Tunworth, Baron Bigot.
Classic Examples: Somerset Brie, Tunworth, Baron Bigot.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Rind Washed
The following classes are eligible for the Best Rind Washed Award.
Any Milk. Classic Examples: Stinking Bishop, Durrus.
Any Milk. Classic Examples: Stinking Bishop, Durrus.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
The IFF Grand Prix
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Cheddar
The following classes are eligible for the Category Award for the Best Cheddar, and Special
Awards for Best Traditional Cheddar, Best Block Cheddar and Best Prepared Block.
Block Cheddars made with helveticus starter culture [modern] will be judged separately from
those made with traditional cultures.
Awards for Best Traditional Cheddar, Best Block Cheddar and Best Prepared Block.
Block Cheddars made with helveticus starter culture [modern] will be judged separately from
those made with traditional cultures.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Territorial
The following classes are eligible for the Category Award for the Best Territorial Cheese and
Special Award for the Best Prepared Block.
Special Award for the Best Prepared Block.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Modern British
This includes any hard, semi-hard, or semi-soft cheeses.
The following classes are eligible for the Best Modern Award.
The following classes are eligible for the Best Modern Award.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Blue
All cheeses with blue mould including Soft White.
The following classes are eligible for the Best Blue Award.
The following classes are eligible for the Best Blue Award.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Flavour Added (Non-Blended)
Including wrapped, coated, or marinated. Unless specified, any milk.
The following classes are eligible for the Best Flavour Added Award.
The following classes are eligible for the Best Flavour Added Award.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Flavour Added (Blended)
Including wrapped or coated.
The following classes are eligible for the Best Flavour Added Award.
The following classes are eligible for the Best Flavour Added Award.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
New Cheese
Open to any cheese created since January 2024 and not previously entered in the
British and Irish Cheese Awards.
Rind washed cheeses can be entered into any of the relevant classes.
The following classes are eligible for the Best New Cheese Award.
British and Irish Cheese Awards.
Rind washed cheeses can be entered into any of the relevant classes.
The following classes are eligible for the Best New Cheese Award.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Export
Open to any cheese currently being sold outside Britain and Ireland.
The following class is eligible for the Best Export Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
The following class is eligible for the Best Export Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Sheep Cheese
Open to any cheese made with sheep milk.
The following class is eligible for the Best Sheep Cheese Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
The following class is eligible for the Best Sheep Cheese Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Goat Cheese
Open to any cheese made with goat milk.
The following class is eligible for the Best Goat Cheese Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
The following class is eligible for the Best Goat Cheese Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Organic Cheese
Open to any cheese certified as organic cheese.
The following class is eligible for the Best Organic Cheese Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
The following class is eligible for the Best Organic Cheese Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
PDO/PGI Cheese
Open to any cheese that currently holds PDO/PGI status
The following class is eligible for the Best PDO/PGI Cheese Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
The following class is eligible for the Best PDO/PGI Cheese Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Specialist Cheesemakers Association Cheese
Open to any cheese made by a member of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association.
The following class is eligible for the Best Cheese from a Member of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
The following class is eligible for the Best Cheese from a Member of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association Award.
Additional entries of the same cheese can also be made in the relevant category class(es).
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
Dairy Products
The following classes are eligible for the Best Dairy Product Award.
Showering Pavillion
To Be Confirmed (Judge)
