International Cheese and Dairy Awards: Berrys Creek cheese victory

Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese has won plenty of national awards. But now the Gippsland brand has gone global.

Some cheesemakers claim to be the world’s best — but Barry Charlton has evidence to back up the global claim to fame.

Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese last month won the best artisan cheesemaker in the world title at the 2023 International Cheese and Dairy Awards.

And Mr Charlton said while his Gippsland-based cheesemakers can take some of the credit, much of the global accolade can be attributed to his farmer suppliers.

“I always say cheesemakers are only as good as the milk they’re working with – otherwise, you’re belting your head against a brick wall,” the Berrys Creek founder said.

“We’ve been very fortunate over the years with the farmers we’ve worked with.”

Berrys Creek Cheese owners Barry Charlton and Cheryl Hulls in their cheese storage room with their prize-winning Oak Blue Cheese. Picture: Dannika Bonser

Fish Creek farmers Graham and Jill Nichols supply Berrys Creek with cow milk, and Giffard West farmer Bryan Jans supplies the cheesemakers with buffalo milk.

“They’re all extraordinary farmers,” Mr Charlton said. “Bryan has a fantastic way with his buffalos, and the results speak for themselves.

“We’ve also got a great team of cheesemakers and everyone else that goes into the production. It’s a real team effort.”

Berrys Creek won the 2020 Dairy Award grand champion with its Oak Blue Cheese. Picture: Dannika Bonser

Mr Charlton and partner Cheryl Hulls established the cheese factory at Fish Creek in 2007, and after a few bumpy years as fledgling cheesemakers, they started picking up awards at home and abroad.

In February 2020, the Fish Creek business was named cheese grand champion at the Australian Grand Dairy Awards, beating every other fromage maker nationwide.

“I’ve been making cheese for 46 years, but there are always new opportunities,” Mr Charlton said. “I was recently in Sydney, and we stopped at a place to eat, and there it was – Berrys Creek cheese on the menu. That’s always a thrill to see.”