The World Cheese Awards is open for entry, with producers from across the globe invited to submit their cheese to be judged during the competition’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Dedicated to cheese, the awards will return to London as part of the Taste of London Festive Edition at Tobacco Dock on Friday 17 November.
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, organisers of the World Cheese Awards, commented: “This global celebration of cheese seems to gather momentum every year, so we can’t wait to bring the world’s finest cheese back to home soil once again and give Taste of London Festive Edition’s 30,000 attendees a glimpse behind the rind.
“Beyond the serious business of identifying the winning wedges, we’ve got a few surprises up our sleeve to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the World Cheese Awards, so we’re hoping that cheesemakers, judges, graders and consumers alike will join us in marking our three decades at the heart of the cheese community.”
Following last year’s edition in San Sebastián, the 2017 event is expected to be the largest cheese-only competition the UK has ever seen, with around 3,000 cheeses from six continents to come under the spotlight.
Cheese producers from more than 30 different countries are expected to enter, with 250 experts judging them in one day to identify the cheeses worthy of a Bronze, Silver or Gold award.
Each table of judges – ranging from buyers to retailers, writers and cheesemakers – will select its Super Gold cheese to go forward to the final before the World Champion Cheese is crowned in the afternoon.
The event will include a programme of tours around the World Cheese Awards judging arena on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 November, with tickets going on sale in advance through Taste of London Festive Edition.
The World Cheese Awards is open for entry from Monday 21 August until Wednesday 11 October, unless the entry cap is reached before this date – early entry is recommended. Producers can enter online at www.gff.co.uk/wca.
The World Cheese Awards judging will commence on Friday 17 November during Taste of London Festive Edition, which will run from 16-19 November at Tobacco Dock, London.