Thomastown cheese producers Floridia Cheese collected the top prize of Champion Hard Cheese for their Pecorino Pepato at the 25th Australian Grand Dairy Awards earlier this month.
Hosted by Dairy Australia and the Royal Agriculture Societies in Melbourne, the annual awards acknowledge quality and innovations across 18 dairy product classes, attracting entrants from each state.
The awards saw 380 entrants across 18 categories judged on flavour, aroma, texture, body, and visual appearance to determine the finest products.
Each state was represented in the awards, taking home prizes across categories such as cheese, ice cream, milk, yoghurt, butter, and gelato.
Floridia Cheese owner Rose Portella said the team was proud of their products and committed staff, milk supplier and all partners involved.
“Our multiple awards provide confirmation that we are a class-leading Australian Dairy manufacturer of premium cheese and our Dairy Farmers can be proud that their quality milk is being converted into Award winning dairy products,” she said.
“We are always striving to produce the best products possible for our customers and put in the extra effort to ensure the highest quality products are produced and enjoyed by our customers.”
Florida Cheese has been a manufacturer of traditional Italian cheese since 1955, currently operated by a third-generation family upholding the grandparents’ – the founding fathers – vision of producing quality products.
Ms Portella said the business used time-honoured traditional methods combined with passion to produce the highest quality products.
“Our success is attributed to quality milk and ingredients, loyal and hardworking staff, passion, commitment and time-honoured recipes,” she said.
To shop the award-winning products, Australians are encouraged to look for the blue and gold medal on their packs.
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