Thomastown cream of the crop at Australian Dairy Awards
Thomastown dairy producers scooped half of the state’s wins at the Australian Grand Dairy Awards.
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There is something about Thomastown dairy products.
Last night, the Melbourne north suburb cemented itself as the cream of Melbourne’s dairy producing crop, taking out half of Victoria’s share of 2019 Australian Grand Dairy Awards.
Jalna Dairy Foods were recognised again for their lusciously thick Jalna Biodynamic Organic Whole Milk Yoghurt, while Montefiore Cheese’s fresh unripened cheese and Floridia Cheese’s hard cheese also tickled the tastebuds of the 12-strong judging panel.
Jalna Dairy Foods business development manager Jeff Carlin said the win was a reflection of the company’s manufacturing expertise.
“It’s not an easy win to achieve, you are really put under the microscope in terms of taste and texture,” Mr Carlin said.
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Fellow Thomastown cheese makers That’s Amore Cheese took out the Goats, Sheep or Buffalo Milk Cheese category with their buffalo ricotta.
That’s Amore Cheese marketing manager Serena Zen said Thomastown’s proximity to both the city and country made it the perfect dairy producing destination.
“There is a good amount of healthy competition out here,” Ms Zen said.
“It’s like we have created a nice hub here in Thomastown.
“In the industry here we all know each other and celebrated together last night.”
That’s Amore Cheese’s buffalo ricotta packed even more of a creamy, tangy punch than cows milk ricotta, Ms Zen said.
For Montefiore Cheese general manager Peter Ferrante Thomastown’s success was not due to anything about the environment, rather the “use of traditions and experience” of cheese makers in the area.
Montefiore Cheese’s hand-stretched and platted soft mozzarella was an example of traditional practices being used to deliver artisan style products to cheese lovers, Mr Ferrante said.
Other 2019 Australian Grand Dairy Award winners in Victoria were Apostle Whey Cheese in Cooriemungle, Apollo Bay’s Dooley’s Premium Ice Cream, Fritz Gelato in Richmond and South Melbourne, and Fonterra Brands Australia Cobden.
More than 400 products in 18 categories were taste-tested during the competition.
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