Australia’s finest cheese and dairy products have been awarded tonight, with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW announcing the champions of its 2023 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show.

Following four days of intense judging which saw over 500 entries go head-to-head across 95 classes, including categories such as cheese, yoghurt, gelato and sheep, goat, buffalo or camel milk products, sixteen champion products have been named.

Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show Guest International Judge, Craig Gile said the range of cheeses available, and quality of judges was phenomenal.  

“I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a lot of different contests throughout the world and this has got to be one of the most interesting and well organised contests that I have been to,” Craig Gile said.

“What’s been great is the number of cheeses that you had, it’s a high number compared to a lot of contests. There was a lot of stunning cheeses and it’s been great to get a little bit of experience on a lot of high-end cheeses that are a little bit different to how some of the U.S cheeses perform.

“The population out here must love big flavours, which is great. I noticed the cheddars tend to be a little sweeter than in the states, which works out really well with some of these long-aged cheese that you’re doing.

“One of the big standouts, for me, was the high-end ingredients that were added into the cheese which I don’t always see at different contest throughout the world, that was fantastic. I’ve also enjoyed having access to your high-end creams, I think that is one category you do even stronger than the US.”

RAS 15^th Annual President’s Medal finalist Robertson’s Pecora Dairy reclaimed its 2021 title taking home Champion Cheese of Show for its Yarrawa cheese, while South Gippsland’s Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese showed its 2022 Champion Cheese of Show, Oak Blue, is still an award-winner by claiming Champion Specialty Cheese and a spot on the coveted Australian Cheeseboard once again.

For ice cream fans, it was Tasmania’s Van Diemans Land Creamery that impressed the judges with its Lemon Curd Ice Cream winning Champion Full Cream Ice Cream or Gelato, while Sydney’s Gelateria Goldola took home Champion Low/Reduced Fat Ice Cream or Gelato with its Frutto Della Passione.

Fonterra Australia – Spreyton claimed Champion Butter for its Duck River Premium Butter and Champion White Milk went to Brownes Dairy for its Brownes Lactose Free Full Cream Milk.

This year welcomed a range of returning champions and a strong variety of new exhibitors, who demonstrated an outstanding result with medals awarded across the board.  In total, the competition awarded 71 gold, 127 silver, and 170 bronze medals.

In addition to their award, top medal winners are given the opportunity to promote their product at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and may be chosen to supply their product at one of the many events that take place at Sydney Showground throughout the year.

The 2023 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show Champions are:

Champion Butter
Fonterra Australia – Spreyton for its Duck River Premium Butter 20g

Champion White Milk
Brownes Dairy for its Brownes Lactose Free Full Cream Milk 1L

Champion Flavoured Milk
Sharma’s Kitchen for its Sharma’s Kitchen Milk Badam

Champion Cheddar Cheese
Bega Cheese for its Bega Vintage 20 kg

Champion Specialty Cheese
Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese for its Oak Blue

Champion Cow Milk Cheese
Bega Cheese for its Bega Vintage 20 kg

Champion Cheese of Show
Pecora Dairy for its Pecora Dairy – Yarrawa

Australian Cheeseboard

• Bega Cheese, Bega Vintage 20 kg
• Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese, Oak Blue
• Yarra Valley Dairy, Yarra Valley Dairy Hubert’s 180g
• Pecora Dairy, Pecora Dairy Yarrawa
• Meredith Dairy, Meredith Dairy Fresh Goats Cheese Dusted with Ash
  
  

Champion Full Cream Ice Cream or Gelato
Van Diemens Land Creamery for its Lemon Curd Ice Cream

Champion Low/Reduced Fat Ice Cream or Gelato
Gelateria Gondola for its Frutto Della Passione

Champion Yoghurt or Cultured Milk Product
Sharma’s Kitchen for its Sharma’s Kitchen Mango Lassi

Champion Frozen Yoghurt
Pure Gelato for its Strawberry Yogurt Ripple

Champion Cream
The Big Little Dairy Company for its Singe Sourced Pure Pouring Cream 2 Litres

Champion Sheep, Goat, Buffalo or Camel Milk Product
Pecora Dairy for its Pecora Dairy Yarrawa

To view all images from the 2023 Cheese & Dairy Produce Awards Show visit the link here