The World Cheese Awards annouce its winners

A stunning array of cheese took centre stage at the BBC Good Food Show last month for the 25th World Cheese Awards organised by The Guild of Fine Food.

There were 3,000 cheeses judged from 30 different countries and more than 250 cheese industry experts from across the world came together to taste, comment and make final decisions.

The judges were producers, retailers, graders, writers, chefs and buyers; and each group of judges tried 40-45 cheeses awarding gold, silver and bronze accolades where appropriate.

The victorious cheese was the multi-award winning Montagnolo Affine entered by Elite Imports Ltd, a decadent creamy soft blue cheese and the first World Champion to come from Germany.

British cheeses to make it into the top 58 included Colston Bassett Stilton, celebrating 100 years of cheesemaking this year and Andy Swinscoe from North Yorkshire won the double - taking home the award for the best Cheese Counter of the Year and the best Cheesemonger.

In order to win the cheesemonger of the year, Swiscoe had to take part in various challenges including ‘A Cut Above', ‘Wrappers Delight', ‘The Odd Couple' and ‘Curd Nerds' carried out live in front of a consumer audience at the BBC Good Food Show.

A full list of the winners can be found at http://worldcheeseawards.com/results/