A North Yorkshire cheesemaker is celebrating after winning the top prize at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show Cheese and Dairy Awards.
Shepherds Purse Cheeses, based near Thirsk, was named Supreme Champion Cheese for its Organic Yorkshire Blue, which also won the Best Organic Product award.
The family-run business, which produces handcrafted blue and soft white cheeses, enjoyed a hugely successful competition, taking home 20 medals against producers from across the UK and Europe.
Its Buffalo Blue was named both Best Blue and Best Specialist Cheese Makers Cheese, while the company also collected nine gold, four silver and four bronze medals across its range, including Harrogate Blue, Mrs Bell’s Blue, Northern Blue and Mrs Bell’s Salad Cheese.
Organic Yorkshire Blue was launched in 2024 to mark Shepherds Purse’s 35th anniversary and became the first cheese in the company’s range to be made using locally sourced organic milk from Acorn Dairy.
Joint managing director Katie Matten said winning the competition’s highest honour was a proud moment for the business.
“The Great Yorkshire Show is now becoming one of the UK’s most respected dairy competitions, attracting entries from many of the country’s leading cheesemakers,” she said.
“To be recognised across so many categories, and to be awarded the competition’s highest honour for our Organic Yorkshire Blue is a tremendous achievement for everyone here at Shepherds Purse.
“These awards are a reflection of the dedication and expertise of our entire team. From sourcing exceptional milk to carefully handcrafting every cheese, we’re incredibly proud of everyone involved in producing cheeses that continue to be recognised among the very best in Britain.”
Founded by Judy Bell MBE in the 1980s, Shepherds Purse is now run by her daughters Caroline Bell and Katie Matten. The awards were judged by a panel of cheesemakers, retailers, wholesalers, food writers and technical specialists across 75 classes covering cheese and other dairy products.
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