Golden Hooves Named Best Welsh Cheese at Awards

Golden Hooves Named Best Welsh Cheese at Awards

Golden Hooves Named Best Welsh Cheese at Awards

Golden Hooves Smoked Cheddar named Best Welsh Cheese at British & Irish Cheese Awards

Golden Hooves Smoked Cheddar has been named Best Welsh Cheese at the British & Irish Cheese Awards 2026, taking this prestigious title at the 30th anniversary edition of the Awards, which took place on Friday 20 March at the Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet in Somerset.

Part of British farmer-owned dairy co-operative, First Milk, Golden Hooves produces its full range of dairy products using regeneratively farmed milk. Each Smoked Cheddar is selected by the co-op’s graders to have the right body, texture and depth of flavour required, before being smoked lightly over oak sawdust for 10 hours.

Leona McDonald, director of Golden Hooves, commented:

“We’re absolutely smokin’ to be named Best Welsh Cheese of any variety. Oak-smoked, carefully crafted, and made with our award-winning Deliciously Regenerative Golden Hooves Cheddar, this is what happens when you farm with nature. Better for the land, even better on the plate! This win proves you can have style and substance, we don’t just look good on the outside, what’s inside is pretty incredible too. The Regenerative herd’s growing… come and join us!”

This year’s trophy winners were announced during the British & Irish Cheese Awards Dinner on the evening of Friday 20 March. The Supreme Champion trophy went to Dazel Ash from Rosary Goats Cheese, an ash-coated goat’s log made in the New Forest, while the Reserve Champion Cup went to Yarlington, a soft washed-rind cheese from King Stone Dairy in Gloucestershire.

All 600 entries were judged at The Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset, on Friday 20 March, by over 60 experts including cheesemakers, cheesemongers, cheese experts, buyers and commentators. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were decided in Round 1, before all Gold winners were judged again to identify the category trophy winners. Following a final round of judging with the category winners, the 2026 Supreme Champion was selected.

Cheese lovers were able to view the British & Irish Cheese Awards judging arena throughout the weekend, as part of the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival, and were given the opportunity to sample some of the trophy winners as part of the Festival’s expanded Guided Cheese Tours. Away from the judging area, the event also celebrated growers, producers and purveyors from the South West and beyond, featuring demonstrations, presentations and entertainment.

Feature image credit: Joe Breakwell / The Royal Bath & West Society

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