So, we weren’t sure whether ICA 2016 could top the new highs that we set in 2015 – but thanks to incredible support from the dairy industry and a LOT of hard work, this year’s International Cheese Awards broke all records with more than 5,000 entries from across the world.

We couldn’t do it without the efforts of our sterling Cheese Committee, who work tirelessly all year round to make the awards such a magnificent event. As is traditional, we’ll close 2016 with some of their thoughts on this year’s show.

We’ll start with our new Chairman, Chris Chisnall, who told me that it had been “another great year for the ICA show. The support we get from sponsors, makers, retailers and the trade continues to improve and allows the committee to grow and improve all aspects of the event. Our entries grew again to 5,000 but more importantly the quality of the entries and variety of types of cheese increased from across the UK and Europe making us a truly International show. We look forward to further development of the International Cheese Awards in 2017”.

Meanwhile, for outgoing Chairman Bruce Macdonald, “my abiding memory of ICA 2016 is Gert van Leeuwen’s face when his cheese was announced as Supreme Champion. He went from disbelief to elation in a spilt second. Just great, and a super way to end my time as Chairman.”

And finally, Vice Chairman Ian Luxton says “I have always been impressed with the spectacle of the entire Cheese Industry under one roof on trade day. 2016 was memorable from an international perspective as growth continues and we were able to welcome New Zealand manufacturers to the show, entering their products alongside the other competitors. The show enjoys a wonderful reputation and is undoubtedly the best stage to showcase products and to benchmark against the best cheese in the world!”

I couldn’t have put it better myself. All that’s left for me to do is to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – we’ll see you all again next year for ICA 2017!”