Clara named Best English Cheese at British & Irish Cheese Awards 2025
Company: British & Irish Cheese Awards
Clara, a log-shaped goat’s cheese sprinkled in a layer of ash, has been named Best English Cheese at the British & Irish Cheese Awards 2025. Made by George Bramham at Harvey & Brockless’ Cheese Cellar Dairy in Evesham, Worcestershire, Clara took this coveted prize among hundreds of entries into the 29th edition of these Awards, which were hosted by the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival near Shepton Mallet in Somerset.
Described as ‘dark and brooding’ with a dark grey rind, contrasting with the brilliant white paste, Clara is dense and creamy, with a buttery flavour and lemony notes. The cheese has hints of freshly cut grass, before unfolding into a long savoury finish.
Nicky Philp, purchasing director at Harvey & Brockless, commented; “Congratulations to George Bramham and the Cheese Cellar Dairy Team! This is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and skill. For Clara goat’s cheese to be awarded three prestigious trophies at the British & Irish Cheese Awards is a huge accomplishment. We are incredibly proud of everything George and the team have achieved and look forward to what’s next.”
Clara was also awarded Best Fresh Cheese and Best Cheese from a member of the Specialist Cheesemaker’s Association, making it one of only two cheeses to win three special trophies, alongside Golden Cross.
All special trophy winners were announced during the British & Irish Cheese Awards Dinner on the evening of Friday 21 March, and the Supreme Champion Cup was presented to Burford, a washed rind, Alpine-style cheese from King Stone Dairy in Gloucestershire.
Around the UK, the Best Scottish Cheese trophy went to Anster, a delicate, pale and crumbly cheese from St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company; and Caws Teifi Cheese took the Best Welsh Cheese trophy with Saval, a Caerphilly-based washed rind cheese.
Organised by The Royal Bath & West Society, the British & Irish Cheese Awards 2025 assessed nearly 600 entries on Friday 21 March, with the help of 52 judges from across the industry. The expert panel, made up of cheesemakers, cheesemongers, cheese experts, buyers and commentators, judged entries in their individual classes during the morning session, awarding Bronze, Silver and Gold accolades. During the second round, all Gold award winners from each category were judged alongside one another to identify the category winners, before all category winners were judged in the final round to find this year’s Supreme Champion and Reserve Champion.
Hosted by the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival, the British & Irish Cheese Awards judging hall was open to the public over the weekend of 22 to 23 March. Festival visitors were invited to witness the incredible scale of the judging arena, cast their votes in the People’s Choice Award, and even join the festival’s brand new Guided Cheese Tours.
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