Making the grade

摘要

Judging at any international cheese show is both a responsibility and privilege. There is also pleasurable anticipation of discovering a gold medal quality product in each class. For quality to be upheld, preparation and presentation of the cheese for display and judging should be as important as the decision to enter the competition.rnThe International Cheese Awards, as they are now known (formerly the Nantwich International Cheese Show) have been a showcase for cheese and other dairy products for the past 113 years. Judges work in pairs with a steward, and for 2010 more than 120 were needed because of increased entries. If judges are given three classes to taste, there can be up to 40 varieties with very different tastes, textures and ages represented.