More than 80 people showed their love for cheese at last year’s Kangaroo Valley Show.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The popular cheese and dairy section impressed at its debut and is set to return again for the 2018 Kangaroo Valley Show on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17.
The section is the only one of its kind to be hosted at an agricultural show in the Shoalhaven.
More than 80 entries were received for judging in 2017, ranging from flavoured yogurts, marinated feta, various soft and hard cheeses and the Champion Cheese, which was taken out by a creamy blue.
Two junior section will be introduced this year, the 12 years and under, and 13 to 16 years, as well as the adult section which covers butters, yogurts, soft, semi hard and hard cheeses.
Organiser Kathy Harrington said she’s hoping to see the next generation shine in the cheese ring.
“We particularly want to encourage young people to enter – simple cheeses such as butter, yogurt, sour cream, labneh and quarg will do the trick,” she said.
Melbourne-based cheese judge Carole Willman will make the trip up to once again sort out who will take top spot.
“Carole is a nationally recognised cheese and dairy judge and is very generous in taking her time to comment on each cheese as she judges it,” Kathy said.
“Unusually for agricultural shows, judging is open to the public beginning at 9.30am on Friday, February 16 in the Kangaroo Valley village hall.
The public is encouraged to come along to watch all of part of the event and to learn more about what makes a good cheese. Carole will provide written feedback for every entry.
There are two major prizes on offer for this section. The first is the South Coast Dairy Perpetual Trophy, and $100, for Champion Cheese, and the second is the Kangaroo Valley Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Cup, and $50, for the Most Successful Exhibitor - Cheese and Dairy.
Entries can be done online via the Kangaroo Valley Show website or at the show office at Kangaroo Valley Showground until close at 8am on Friday, February 16.
More information about the cheese and dairy section is also available at valleycheesemakers.com.au
There will also be basic cheese making demonstrations at 10:30am (butter and labneh) on Saturday, February 17 in the village hall. At 1.30pm there will be a demonstration on waxing cheeses and ricotta.
The Valley Cheesemakers, made up of Kathy, and Jan Watson and Rosie Johnson, have been encouraging people to make cheese by running workshops over the past year and hope to see many entries at this year’s Kangaroo Valley Show.
“We hope people will feel encouraged to enter the show, however simple their product,” Kathy said.
“We will continue to run workshops over 2018 with a view to further encouraging people to develop their skills.”
