County cheese coup

13 November 2020

Cheese producers across the West Midlands will welcome the arrival of an international cheese show to Staffordshire.

The International Cheese and Dairy Show will move out of Cheshire next year, severing an association with Nantwich Agricultural Society that began more than a century ago in 1897.

The event, which will now be held at Staffordshire County Showground, welcomes some of the best cheese producers ever year with around 5,500 entries, including global competitors.

Organisers hope the July event will grow in stature at the new venue although they are unsure what impact Brexit and Covid-19 will have.

The International Cheese and Dairy Awards are also launching Love Cheese Live, which is billed at the UK’s largest cheese, dairy and food weekender.

This will be a two day public show following the awards and the field to fork experience will include celebrity chefs, cookery schools, a chef’s table, street food, food producers and a centre-piece display of the award-winning cheeses from around the world. Mature cornish gouda_73295

Ian Luxton, show chairman, said: “We’ve enjoyed a long association with Nantwich Agricultural Society and would like to sincerely thank them for their support over the years, we will be retaining our strong historical links with them.

“However, the time is right to move to a larger weatherproof site that is sustainable, has robust agricultural links and protects our sponsor and exhibitor investment.”

Staffordshire County Showground has a wide range of exhibition halls, conference suites and outdoor facilities.

Mr Luxton said there was an emphasis on ‘innovation’ to make sure ‘we encompass market trends, become more light-footed, respond to changes in the industry and remain a relevant and credible competition’.

The 2021 International Cheese and Dairy Show will be held from 1 to 3 July (subject to COVID-19) with trade on the first day.


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