Australian Grand Dairy Awards seeking people’s choice judges

ARE you crazy for camembert? The “big cheese” and chief judge of the Australian Grand Dairy Awards needs you to join him, as one of 10 amateur cheese enthusiasts. Here’s how you can get the gig.

Russell Smith loves tasting cheese and all kinds of dairy. Picture: Tony Gough

WHEN it comes to the world of dairy, Russell Smith is the big cheese.

The chief judge of the Australian Grand Dairy Awards has tasted thousands of cheeses over his 25-year career and is ready to do it again.

Smith and nine fellow dairy experts will taste more than 400 cheeses, ice creams, butters, milks, creams and yoghurts to determine Australia’s very best dairy produce.

The former scientist and self-described cheese nerd said he never tired of tasting, even after trying dozens of products over the course of a judging day.

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“People are often surprised that I can judge cheese all day, but I have an insatiable appetite for cheese,” he said.

Chief judge Russell Smith with a mountain of cheese. Picture: Tony Gough

It’s the 20th anniversary of the awards that celebrate the cream of the Australian dairy industry and Smith is seeking 10 amateur cheese enthusiasts to join him in becoming an official dairy judge for a night.

After a tutorial in how to taste and judge, the cheese lovers will taste an array of dairy delights before crowning the winner of the People’s Choice award.

The question is, curd you do it?

Smith said a love of dairy in all its forms was the key requirement of being a good judge.

“It’s equally important to have a good palate to understand the nuances in flavour, texture and style,” he said.

The people’s choice judging will take place on Nov 1 at 6pm. For the chance to become a judge, enter at legendairy.com.au/dairyjudge. Entries close Monday at 11.59pm.