New styles, new thinking and new cheeses to discover. Details announced for Affineur of the Year 2026

The Academy of Cheese has announced plans for Affineur of the Year 2026, and is now inviting cheese lovers to visit, taste and vote for their favourite cheeses.

Taking place on Tuesday 16 June at Christ Church Spitalfields in London, the event will showcase over 50 entries, all pushing the boundaries of cheese innovation in the UK. 

Ticketholders are invited, and encouraged, to sample every single cheese before placing their votes in the People’s Choice Award.

Now in its fifth year, Affineur of the Year brings together cheesemakers, cheesemongers and cheese fans to celebrate the growing affinage movement in the UK, as the craft of meticulous maturation continues to influence Britain’s artisan cheese scene. 

Combining both art and science in equal measure, many entrants take their starting cheeses to weird and wonderful new places. 

Recent creations have been coated in leaves, aged in coal, and washed in liqueur, with some entries going onto enjoy successful product launches in their own right.

Entrants are invited to age up to five different cheeses, with trophies up for grabs in each category, and top honours going to the overall Champion. 

Category options include an 8kg Clothbound Cheddar from Quicke’s (Hard), a 4kg Gorwydd Caerphilly from Trethowan Brothers (Crumbly), an 8kg Blue Stilton from Cropwell Bishop (Blue), and a 250g Baron Bigod from Fen Farm Dairy (Soft). This year’s line-up will also feature a goat’s cheese for the first time; a 2kg Rachel from White Lake Cheese (Washed Rind).

Having attracted great interest from cheese communities around the world since its inception, Affineur of the Year is now supported by some of the leading figures in global affinage. 

As a result, this year’s Champion will receive an exclusive, fully sponsored week‑long professional development experience with the renowned Caves Team at Murray’s state‑of‑the‑art cheese aging facility in New York City.

Also new for 2026, the Mons Formation Rising Star Award will be presented to the competitor who demonstrates outstanding potential and understanding in the art of cheese affinage. 

The recipient will be invited to attend a 5-day affinage course at the Mons Fromager Affineur Caves in the Loire region of France, joining cheese expert Emma Young and legendary affineur, Laurent Mons.

This year’s judging panel will welcome new experts from all over the world, including Josh Windsor from Murray's Cheese in New York and Benjamin Vogel of Gourmino in Switzerland. 

They will judge alongside the likes of Laurent Mons from the Mons Formation, cheese writer and educator Patrick McGuigan, and 3-time Affineur of the Year winner, Perry-James Wakeman from Rennet & Rind.

Affineur of the Year 2026 will see entries coming in from across the UK, with competitors including The Courtyard Dairy in Yorkshire, Mike’s Fancy Cheese in Northern Ireland, Harvey & Brockless in Worcestershire, Fine Cheese Co. in Bath, and Neal’s Yard Dairy, Brindisa, Chiswick Cheese Market London's Paxton & Whitfield.

Affineur of the Year 2026 will take place between 1.00pm – 7.00pm on Tuesday 16 June at Christ Church Spitalfields in London. Tickets are available to purchase now from academyofcheese.org, priced at £60 +VAT.

Say goodbye to chocolate eggs this Easter and say hell to Butlers Farmhouse Cheese W'egg'dges!

I haven't been able to buy my wife a chocolate Easter egg for many years since she developed an allergy to chocolate. 

I have tried to source non-chocolate eggs with no success. Until now, that is! How so? Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses has the answer I need.

Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses is famed for its range of “Cheester” Easter eggs at this time of year, but this Easter, the rural Lancashire cheesemakers are changing things up a bit.

They are introducing the Blacksticks W’EGG’DGE - the cheese that thinks it’s an Easter egg. 

The fourth-generation family cheesemakers had to, with considerable regret, put their annual Easter egg production on hold after a devastating fire at their offices and packing site last November. 

However, Butlers have put their shoulders to the (cheese) wheel and they are 'crazy busy' handmaking their full range of hard, soft and blue cheeses at the dairy (luckily on a separate site unaffected by the heartbreaking fire), to replenish their lost cheese stocks.

In an egg-cellent twist and in response to Blacksticks’ loyal fanbase flooding Butlers’ inbox asking when the egg will be launched, Butlers have got as close to its most popular Cheester egg flavour, Blacksticks, as it can, with the Blacksticks W’EGG’DGE, meaning cheese lovers can still enjoy Blacksticks on their Easter cheeseboards. 

The Blacksticks W’EGG’DGE (150g) wants to be an egg so much, it has a picture of one on the outside of the pack, but inside you will find the original wedge that is known and loved for its distinct orange colour, delicate blue bite and indulgent and divine creamy texture. The Blacksticks W’EGG’DGE is whatever you want it to be, and it's available to buy now from Butlers’ online cheese store, £4 plus postage. You will find their online cheesemonger's shop here https://butlerscheeses.co.uk/shop

Also returning for Easter is the ever-popular Perfect British Cheeseboard for two (155g). This letterbox cheeseboard includes three showstopping, Great Taste Award winning cheeses; Blacksticks (blue), Button Mill (soft) and Sunday Best (hard). £6 plus postage Butlers’ online cheese store delivered direct from the dairy to your front door. 

Blacksticks fans can also keep their eyes peeled for a range of exciting products coming very soon. Whether it’s a mid-week sandwich, summer BBQ or a cheeky snack, Blacksticks will have you (and your bread or crackers!) covered. 

Embrace the Craft: Why Artisan Cheese Trumps Mass-Produced Processed Cheese

In the realm of culinary delights, few things rival the satisfaction of a perfectly aged artisan cheese.

From its distinct flavours to its rich history of craftsmanship, artisan cheese stands as a testament to tradition and quality. In contrast, mass-produced processed cheese pales in comparison, lacking the depth of flavour, nutritional value, and cultural significance found in its artisanal counterpart. 

Here are some compelling reasons why you should opt for artisan cheese over mass-produced processed cheese:

Quality Ingredients: Artisan cheese makers prioritise quality over quantity. They source milk from local farms, often using traditional methods and organic practices. This results in cheese with superior taste and texture, as well as heightened nutritional value compared to processed cheese, which often contains additives and preservatives.

Craftsmanship and Tradition: Artisan cheese making is an art form passed down through generations. Each wheel or block of cheese is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans who pour their passion and expertise into every batch. This dedication to tradition and craftsmanship shines through in the complexity and character of the final product, a quality that mass-produced processed cheese simply cannot replicate.

Diverse Flavours and Varieties: Artisan cheese offers an unparalleled variety of flavors and textures, ranging from creamy brie to sharp cheddar to tangy blue. Each cheese reflects the unique terroir of its region and the creativity of its maker. In contrast, mass-produced processed cheese tends to be uniform in flavour and texture, lacking the depth and complexity found in artisanal cheeses.

Supporting Local Communities: By choosing artisan cheese, you're not only treating your taste buds to a culinary adventure but also supporting local farmers and cheesemakers. Artisan cheese makers often operate on a small scale, contributing to the vitality of rural communities and preserving traditional farming practices.

Environmental Sustainability: Artisan cheese making typically involves sustainable practices that prioritises animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Local sourcing reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation, while small-scale farming methods promote biodiversity and soil health. In contrast, the industrial processes used to produce mass-produced processed cheese can have detrimental environmental impacts, such as deforestation and pollution.

Cultural Heritage: Artisan cheese is steeped in cultural heritage, with each cheese telling a story of its origin and the people who produced it. Whether it's a genuine Welsh farmhouse cheese, a rustic French Camembert or a tangy Italian pecorino, artisan cheese connects us to the rich tapestry of human history and culinary traditions.

In conclusion, opting for artisan cheese over mass-produced processed cheese is not just a matter of taste; it's a choice that reflects our values as consumers. By supporting local farmers and artisans, preserving cultural heritage, and prioritising quality and sustainability, we can indulge in the simple pleasure of cheese while making a positive impact on our communities and the planet. 

So, the next time you're at the cheese counter, dare to go artisan and savour the authentic flavours of tradition and craftsmanship.

You can Google cheesemongers near me to find your nearest cheesemonger.