Isle of Wight Cheese Wins Award
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Posted by Mari Nicholson Mar 24, 2007 |
On February 21st, I filed an article on the this site, telling the readers about a new cheese making venture on the Isle of Wight, the diamond-shaped island in the south of England. This week, the Blue Cheese from Richard and Julie Hodgson’s Isle of Wight Cheese Company, has been named “Best English Cheese” by Fortnam and Mason iat the World Cheese Awards in London. The Island has no history of cheese making, yet in less than one year has leapt into first place in the world of great fromages.
This prestigious Award comes just 16 weeks after the first batch was produced in their Queen’s Bower Dairy on the island and Richard has dedicated the Award to his father who died just a week before the competition. It was Richard’s father who persuaded him to enter the competition and we would have been justly proud of the win, and of the fact that Richard is now producing over 1,000 cheeses per week which he is selling at Farmers‘ Markets and various delicatessens.
The famous Fortnum & Mason's food hall and department store on Piccadilly, London, was established in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason and its fame rests, not only on the quality of diversity of its produce (game in aspic jelly is one favourite) and its justly admired tea shop, but on its assistants who are dressed in morning suits. One can’t really call it a department store, it demands the title “emporium”.
It provided hampers during the Napoleonic, Crimean, Boer and First World War to the Officers serving with the British forces. It is still famed for its luxury hampers served at the Henley Regatta, Ascot Races, Glyndebourne Opera, and various other high society events..
Richard Hodgson is thrilled with his Award and hopes that if any suite101.com visitors chance upon the Isle of Wight during a visit to the UK (fast train and catamaran from London to the Isle of Wight takes just over one hour), they will call at his stall in one of the Farmers' Markets to say hello and sample some of their fine produce. I wish them well. I've sampled their products and know how good they are.
Don't forget, you first read about it here!. As always, suite 101.com brings you the most up-to-date information, the breaking news and up-to-the-minute happenings in the world of travel, food, and associated events.