20/06/07
If you want to know a thing or two about cheese, then make sure
you visit the Great Yorkshire Cheese & Dairy Show at this
year's Great Yorkshire Show, which runs from Tuesday 10 - Thursday
12 July at Harrogate.
Jayne
Hickinbotham, the section's Chief Steward testing cheese at the
Great Yorkshire Show
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Since the re-introduction of the classes in 2002, the section
has gone from strength to strength with entry figures rising
year on year. Last year a record-breaking 713 entries were received
- more than double those of five years ago and this year's figures
look set to be another all time high.
Sponsored by Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc, the Cheese & Dairy
Show attracts entrants from across the country, as well as abroad.
Competition is fierce in the various categories, which range
from classes for hard and soft cheeses to liquid milk, butter,
ice cream and yoghurt.
Introduced to the Show for the first time last year, the class
for Flavoured Milk is popular, and the Retailer Section, which
began two years ago, will see own-label dairy products battling
it out for the honours.
Visitors who see themselves as cheese connoisseurs can pick up
tips on cheese grading during regular demonstrations and practical
sessions throughout the three-day show.
Jayne Hickinbotham, the section's Chief Steward, said as well
as daily cheese-making demonstrations by Bob Kitching in the
Great Yorkshire Cheese & Dairy Cookery Theatre, visitors
will be given an insight into the grading of cheese and dairy
products throughout the three-day show during regular seminars.
"We want to share as much information with visitors as possible.
Looking at the cheeses that have been judged, we explain to visitors
what makes a prize-winner. We explain the judging process and
what it takes to win. Using a cheese iron which we push into
the cheese, we check for texture, aroma and obviously flavour,
amongst other qualities. With ice-creams we look out for the "spoonability''
as well as the balance of sugars and flavours."
Other classes to look out for include Celebrity Choice, when
local celebrities are given the chance to pick their favourite
dairy product. And schoolchildren from the region are given the
chance to become judges during the Children's Class, using skills
learnt at the recent Countryside Days, organised by the Yorkshire
Agricultural Society at the showground. Youngsters from Pool
C of E Primary School, Pool in Wharfedale and from Hebden Royd
C of E Primary School, Hebden Bridge discovered what it takes
to grade cheese made from pasteurised milk.
"We are delighted with how popular the Cheese & Dairy
Show has become. From humble beginnings in 2002 when there were
about 100 entries, the Show has grown and grown and the number
of categories has become more diverse," said Jayne.
In addition the cookery theatre will give an insight into how
to use dairy produce to create a wide range of mouth watering
dishes.
Advance tickets can be bought up to and including Wednesday 4
July. For more details telephone 01423 541222 or see the website
at www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk
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