By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
DOUG Eddy has fond memories of cheese.
He ought to – the Narre Warren resident has worked in the dairy industry for over 30 years.
And in October he was delighted to be asked to sit on the 22-person judging panel for the 16th annual Australian Grand Dairy Awards.
“In the last two years I’ve been able to get on a number of judging panels, and learn from a number of judges,” Doug said.
“I was fortunate enough to taste on the cheese panel for the Australian Grand Dairy Awards. There were 150 cheeses all up to be tasted in a one day sitting and we were split into two groups.
“We all probably tasted 100 cheeses each.”
The cheeses are judged on three categories – flavour and aroma, appearance and feel.
Doug said the winning dairy award cheese, Heidi Farm Raclette – manufactured by Lion Dairy & Drinks – was an exquisite cheese, deserving of the top gong.
It was now recognised as Australia’s most prestigious cheese.
“It’s a special sort of cheese, and it has been highly regarded for the last few years,” Doug said.
“This particular factory is renowned for its cheese making. They have a number of production sites, across Australia, the main cheese ones being in Tasmania.”
Doug, a consultant for the dairy industry, said he had felt drawn to working with dairy products after farming became something of a passion for him.
“I used to spend the weekends on a dairy farm with friends in the North of Victoria and I loved the smell of milk in the vat,
“The dairy industry had great memories for me.
“It’s like a family, I respect a lot of people in the industry and I’m respected by them.”
The Australian Grand Dairy Awards have been recognising and rewarding excellence and innovation in Australian dairy produce since 1999, paying tribute to the achievements of the skilled specialists who develop their products.
