A GLOBAL cheese competition, held in Somerset, is set to return this September - with a focus on artisan producers.

The Global Cheese Awards, part of The Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show, has been held every year since 1861 (apart from 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

And this year, to help the recovery of the specialist cheesemaker community, the Global Cheese Awards held in Frome are becoming more relevant to smaller, artisan producers.

Chris Stilton, Chairman for 13 years, is stepping down. And to reflect the more artisan approach, Marcus Fergusson, a local cheesemaker at Feltham’s Farm, has become the new Chairman.

Somerset County Gazette: TO RETURN: The Global Cheese Awards will take place in September 2021

They will also be introducing more than 40 new classes with lower entry fees - aimed at producers who make less than five tonnes of cheese per week.

“The renaissance in artisan cheese production is one of the great success stories of the past two decades but it has been badly hit by Covid," said Mr Fergusson.

“We want to help artisan producers bring their wonderful cheeses to wider public attention.

"The new classes will hugely increase the opportunity for artisan producers to win awards that they can then use to promote their business.”

Somerset County Gazette: TO RETURN: The Global Cheese Awards will take place in September 2021

The existing production classes aimed at bigger producers will also exist, and overseas entries will be welcomed.

An additional class will be introduced for members of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association.