Katrina BRANDON
THE royal food-off has crowned Moyarra cheesery, Prom Country Cheese, as Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker.
Last month, the Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards (MRAFA) announced winners across its food categories: dairy, preserves, smallgoods, meat, olive and bread and baked goods.
The night was held at the MasterChef Kitchen at Melbourne Showgrounds.
“This year’s trophy winners and champions represent the extraordinary depth of talent and exceptional produce being created across the country,” Melbourne Royal Senior Manager of Food and Beverage Awards, Kirrily Waldhorn said.
“It’s fantastic to see some incredible producers take home awards across such a diverse range of categories, from dairy and preserves to meat and smallgoods, the returning olive oil, bread and baked goods, and our new trophies such as the Apprentice Butcher and Independent Cheesemaker.
“These awards offer a wonderful opportunity to highlight the quality and craftsmanship behind some of Australia’s best food. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and sharing their stories with food lovers across the country.”
Claiming the title of Champion Australian Independent Cheesemaker, Prom Country Cheese owner Daniel Hales told the Gippsland Farmer the win was quite special.
Mr Hales said the award reflected his team’s work from soil to factory.
The milk used to make the cheese comes from the Hales’ farm (Glen Moidart) in Lance Creek (just around the corner from Kongwak). Mr Hales’ great-great-grandfather ran Glen Moidart in 1886; which has since passed to Mr Hales, who produces organic milk.
During the presentation night, Mr Hales said he enjoyed the networking and receiving the award was a huge plus.
“It was a great night,” he said.
“We went down and were able to see the finest products out of Victoria get awards. It was a great experience to see what the best producers were doing and to network with them.
“It was also good just being able to catch up with them, because often when we’re all busy making products and farming, we’re not actually on the road getting to see everyone. Events such as the awards help the industries connect.”
Mr Hales mentioned that the event also gives you a chance to see where you are going right or wrong with your products.
MRAFA Head Judge of the Dairy Section and dairy specialist Mark Livermore said the show was a massive success, possibly the biggest yet, and noted a real buzz of energy at the event.
When judging the cheese, Mr Livermore said they judge the product out of 20 points: four points for condition, six points for body and texture, and 10 points for flavour. A panel of three judges generally judges the products.
While taste is generally considered a singular experience, Mr Livermore said that is why a panel of judges tries each product rather than just one.
“It’s a fairly rigorous program that all these products go through to get the medals,” he said.
“We judge independently, and then once we have judged five products, we’d then go back and compare our notes. Someone might say that they are picking up a bitterness there, and someone else might pick up something else, and we look and examine how we are judging.”
When looking at products from Prom Country Cheese, Mr Livermore said that the cheese was very well-balanced, flavourful and “is a standout product”.
“In Gippsland, you are very fortunate to have a very good, strong dairy industry,” he said.
“You have got a good number of products that have been made down there. You have Prom Country Cheese, Berry’s Creek down near Wilsons Prom, and Gippsland Jersey, all extremely well-manufactured and well-produced products.
“The consistency is what I like to see as well, where we judge shows all around the country, and these products almost always rise to the top.”
Looking at products from paddock to plate, Mr Livermore said Gippsland has great pastures and a strong dairy industry.
Mr Livermore began his dairy career in high school, working on farms in New South Wales. Following his interest in the dairy industry, Mr Livermore went on to study dairy technology, covering various types of dairy products manufactured.
Working all across the board with producers, he said that it’s one of the most rewarding industries to be involved in.
Looking at the different types of milk, such as cow, goat, buffalo, sheep, and camel, he said the one that comes out on top is chocolate milk (which is said to be the best (particularly after a workout) to consume).
