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The International Cheese & Dairy Awards will be held at the Staffordshire County Showground from 25 June through 26 June 2025. As a prestigious platform the event proves the industry's relentless drive toward excellence by showcasing the highest standards of cheese and dairy products. The 2025 awards intends to set higher benchmarks for quality and innovation by building upon its past success of carefully evaluating over 5,000 entries during last year's event.

Unveiling Mastery: Judging Excellence by Industry Leaders 

The current year’s awards will present an enhanced judging panel of 250 specialists including master cheesemakers alongside affineurs, leading retail buyers and well-known food authors. Judges are selected based on their deep expertise and extensive experience which guarantees that the evaluation process maintains rigor and fairness while being thorough. Seasoned industry veterans will lead the panels as they examine every entry against strict standards to ensure unbiased and thorough evaluations.

Celebrating Dairy: More Than Just an Awards Ceremony 

The awards ceremony scheduled for June 26 marks the event's pinnacle while serving as an essential platform for professional growth and industry networking. The event functions as a key connection point for professionals to network with peers and industry experts while building relationships that stimulate innovative thinking throughout the industry. The gathering serves as more than just an event because it creates valuable connections which will define future developments in the dairy industry.

Our Evaluation Criteria represents a Rigorous Quest for Quality

The International Cheese & Dairy Awards judging process follows a meticulously structured system to deliver precise and transparent results. The evaluation encompasses multiple facets: 

1. Appearance: The visual assessment considers the cheese's external characteristics such as the rind, color, and surface features. An attractive, appropriate appearance sets the stage for further sensory evaluation.
2. Texture and Body: Judges carefully examine the texture, noting whether the cheese is crumbly, creamy, dense, or silky. The body should reflect the cheese's style and type, contributing positively to the overall mouthfeel and enjoyment.
3. Aroma: Aroma is a critical component, with judges sniffing each cheese to capture its bouquet. Desirable aromas vary widely across different cheese types but generally should be inviting and indicative of the cheese’s maturity and ingredients.
4. Taste: Taste is the most heavily weighted criterion. Judges sample the cheeses to evaluate the balance and depth of flavors, including but not limited to acidity, bitterness, and saltiness. The flavor profile should be complex and pleasing, with no off-notes.

Join Us in Shaping the Future 

The International Cheese & Dairy Awards 2025 serves as both an awards and a strategic platform to showcase brands and  products with industry leaders while demonstrating  dedication to quality and innovation. Dairy professionals can use this platform to display their expertise and connect with the leading figures in their industry.

Detailed entry information can be accessed through our entries website.