A record number of Irish cheeses will be judged near Shepton Mallet this month as the British & Irish Cheese Awards celebrate their 30th anniversary.

The awards take place at the Bath & West Showground on Friday 20 March, forming the centrepiece of the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival weekend running 21–22 March.

Organisers say 48 Irish cheeses have been entered this year — the highest number in the competition's history — with more than 600 cheeses set to be judged overall.

The surge comes 10 years after the Brexit referendum, which saw many Irish cheeses disappear from UK counters as new trade barriers complicated transport and biosecurity rules.

Renewed push to reconnect UK and Irish cheesemakers

The Royal Bath & West Society, which runs the awards, has worked with CÁIS – The Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers, Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board, and the Specialist Cheesemakers Association to improve how Irish entries are consolidated and transported to the UK.

Organisers say the effort is part of a wider attempt to rebuild links between British and Irish cheesemakers and reintroduce Irish farmhouse cheeses to British retailers.

Tim Rowcliffe, vice-chairman of the British & Irish Cheese Awards and ambassador to Ireland for the Specialist Cheesemakers Association, said the milestone reflects progress after years of disruption.

"It's shocking to think that a decade has passed since Irish cheese began losing its presence in the UK," he said.

advertisement

"The number of Irish entries into this year's competition reflects the renewed confidence and enthusiasm among Irish cheesemakers."

Estelle Alley, UK Market Specialist at Bord Bia, said interest from British buyers in Irish farmhouse cheese has been rising year on year.

"As Ireland's farmhouse cheese category continues to go from strength to strength and UK trade interest rises, Bord Bia plays a central role in connecting British buyers with distinctive cheeses from Ireland's community of farmhouse cheesemakers."

Hundreds of cheeses judged by industry experts

Around 60 judges — including cheesemakers, cheesemongers, buyers and industry commentators — will assess the entries.

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in the first round before the Gold winners compete again for category titles. The category champions will then face a final judging round to determine the 2026 Supreme Champion, announced at the awards dinner on the evening of Friday 20 March.

Visitors attending the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival can also watch judging inside the awards hall and sample some of the winners through guided cheese tours across the weekend.

The festival will also feature producers, demonstrations and entertainment celebrating food and drink from Somerset, the South West and beyond.

British & Irish Cheese Awards 2026 – in numbers

• 30th anniversary of the competition
• 600+ cheeses entered
• England – 405
• Ireland – 48
• Wales – 29
• Scotland – 17
• UK retailers – 104
• 60 judges

More local stories

Shepton Mallet Sunday Market dates confirmed for 2026

advertisement

Shepton Mallet crime rises to 121 in January

Subscribe to the FREE Shepton Mallet Nub News weekly newsletter — get the latest Shepton Mallet news, events and community updates straight to your inbox.