Judges declared it’s the ‘cheese you just want to go back for more and more of’ and South Nowra’s Unicorn Cheese is celebrating after taking out top spot at the 2017 Australian Grand Dairy Awards.
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Snow Brand’s Emporium Selection Washed Rind won the title of Australia’s best Washed Rind/Mixed Rind cheese earlier this month.
Head cheesemaker and production manager at Unicorn Cheese, Chris Hinsley said it’s an acknowledgement of two years of hard work.
“It’s been my baby,” he said.
“It’s a very complex cheese and it’s very demanding in labour. It has to be washed by hand every second day for 14 days with different yeasts and mould before sitting in a room with special humidity.”
The company produces more than 12,000 washed rinds a week. The cheese turns orange as it develops and carries an odour Mr Hinsley said is typical of a washed rind.
“It’s one of the stinkiest cheeses you can get,” he said.
“When I first made the handwashing choice it was a nightmare; it’s was all new to the team. But now, to win these awards makes it all worthwhile for everyone.
- Chris Hinsley
Mr Hinsley joined the team at Unicorn Cheese three years ago and said the handwashing practice has been one of the biggest challenges to undertake.
“When I first made the handwashing choice it was a nightmare; it’s was all new to the team. But now, to win these awards makes it all worthwhile for everyone,” he said.
The award comes on top of a strong 2016 for the washed rind, having last year won the Champion Product at the Australian DIAA Awards
Unicorn Cheese has also won the Champion White Mould for the previous two years.
“It shows consistency in the group and the hard work the entire team has put in,” Mr Hinsley said.
Amanda Menegazzo, convener of the Australian Grand Dairy Awards said the Australian Grand Dairy Awards is like the Olympics of the cheese world.
“These awards are the grand final of dairy competitions in Australia, recognising the talented Australian farmers and producers who bring such high quality dairy foods to our fridges,” she said.
“We encourage Australians to look out for the blue and gold champion and grand champion medals on pack and show their support for these talented Australian producers.”
While the awards are over for another year, Mr Hinsley already has gold in his sights for 2018.
“I’d like to try and win both the Champion White Mould and the Champion Washed Rind,” he said.
