Dedication Sees Double Award Win for Goat Cheesemaker

Years of Dedication Sees Double Award Win for Goat Cheesemaker

Rural Waikato cheesemaker Jeanne Van Kuyk is celebrating an incredible double win at the 2014 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards after claiming a highly sought-after supreme award and major category win.

Aroha Organic Goat Cheese cheesemaker, Jeanne, was presented with the Milk Test NZ Cheesemaker of the Year Award at a gala dinner and awards night held at The Langham, Auckland on Tuesday night (March 4).

While the certified organic, and GE free company is no stranger to award wins, this is the first time Aroha Organic Goat Cheese has taken out one of the coveted supreme titles.

“I am so honoured to win this award. Since we arrived in New Zealand we have believed in our dream, and tonight our dream has come true,” Jeanne said.

NZ Champions of Cheese Awards Master Judge, Russell Smith, has high praise for Jeanne, and applauds the years of the work she’s dedicated to making such high quality cheese. “Never have I seen a cheesemaker who has perfected her craft as much as she has,” Smith said.

“Jeanne crafts consistently superb cheese all year, year after year.”

Aroha Organic Goat Cheese also won the Tuatara Brewing Champion Goat Cheese Award for its Aroha Raw Milk Rich Plain cheese for the second consecutive year.

The Champion Goat Cheese Award year-on-year win has come after a tough, yet rewarding two-and-a-half years of persuing the company’s life-long dream of producing raw milk goat cheese.
In late 2012 Aroha Organic Goat Cheese become the first company in New Zealand to receive official certification by MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) to produce raw milk cheese.

“I commend Jeanne and her team for their foray into producing raw milk cheese, and her continued production of high-quality cheeses,” Smith said.

Jeanne says her wins are a true family effort, with her “beautiful” girls (also known as the goats) playing a key role in the company’s on-going success. She attributes “happy girls” and “a happy milking process” to creating delicious, organic cheese.

“This is a true family affair, and I wouldn’t be here without my girls,” Jeanne said.

Aroha Organic Goat Cheese is situated in Waihou, at the foot of Mt Te Aroha, and produces both raw milk and pasteurised cheese.

The 50 acre farm is certified organic (to BIO GRO standards), with all animals grazing on herbicide and pesticide free pastures with homeopathic and herbal remedies used if necessary.

Aroha Organic Goat Cheese can be bought through its online store and on its premises through appointment.

For more information visit www.organicgoatcheese.co.nz.
ENDS

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