The twelve month matured Huguenot cheese from Dalewood Fromage, an artisanal cheesery in the heart of the Cape Winelands, was crowned the 2016 South African Dairy Product of the Year at the Agri-Expo Qualité Awards Dinner at Grand West on Wednesday 27 April 2016.
The Huguenot, developed by Rob Visser in 2003, is the largest head of cheese in South Africa and the signature cheese of Dalewood Fromage. This semi-hard, brushed rind cheese with its unique flavour and texture is medium-full in character with nutty overtones and has consistently won numerous prestigious awards since 2004.
A year of records and celebrations
The 72 Judges that adjudicated the 886 products entered by 86 manufacturers all exceed the previous years’ records. “We see these records as a clear indication of the value and credibility of a championship of this nature for the dairy industry”, says Johan Ehlers, CEO of Agri-Expo. This championship is presented by the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society which is celebrating its 185th year. Agri-Expo celebrates its 20th year as marketing brand of the society and the South African Dairy Championships is presented for the 182nd year.
Consistent improvement
“The quality of dairy products improves consistently each year and this is notable in the astounding twenty three products which received a Qualité award in this years’ South African Dairy Championships”, says Kobus Mulder, chief judge.
Qualité is the mark of excellence for dairy products in South Africa. This year Parmalat SA (Pty) Ltd is taking the lead with 5 Qualité awards, followed by Fairview Cheese Company with 4 awards, Dairy Exchange (Pty) Ltd received 3 and both Fair Cape Dairies (Pty) Ltd and Dalewood Fromage each received 2 awards. Roe-Mhy Goat Dairy, Woodlands Dairy, Lancewood Holdings, La Montanara, Meze Foods, Rhodes Food Group and Belnori Boutique Cheesery each received one Qualité award.
Please find a list of SA Dairy Champions as well as the Qualité winners attached. More details available on http://www.cheesesa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sa-dairy-championships/2016-south-african-dairy-championships-results/SA-Dairy-Champions-2016.pdf
