In November last year, Rob and Petrina Visser, owners of Dalewood Farm in Simondium, were excited about their results achieved at the World Cheese Awards held in conjunction with the World Jersey Cheese Championships that took place in London.
Out of over 3 000 products, their Huguenot came joint third internationally, and won the trophy for World Champion Jersey Cheese.
A formal celebration was held on the farm for the entire team, and Agri-Expo presented the trophy that they sponsored for the best South African cheese at the World Cheese Awards.
On Thursday March 22, Mr and Ms Visser welcomed John Farrand, MD of the Guild of Fine Food in the United Kingdom, owners and organisers of the World Cheese Awards, to Dalewood Farm.
Mr Farrand travelled to South Africa to personally bring the trophies, saying that it was a privilege to be able to recognise excellence and give credit, in person, to the people that ”make such amazing cheese, after all these years”.
The Dalewood team also wel-comed Kobus Mulder, international cheese judge, and Arno Theron, president of Jersey South Africa, who made a special trip from Kwa-Zulu Natal for the occasion, to an informal celebration at the Dalewood Fromage Cheesery shop.
The super gold award for Huguenot and gold award for Boland were presented to Dalewood production manager, Nellie Fischer, and general manager, Jolette Wilmot.
Mr Theron then spoke on behalf of Jersey South Africa, praising Mr Visser for his involvement in the society, and for his efforts in maintaining the quality of the herd and Dalewood milk used to make their cheeses.
Mr Theron also commented on how content the cows were on the farm, and that it was no wonder “this cheese is so good.”
He presented the World Champion Jersey Cheese Trophy to herd manager, Lukas Mehlomakhulu, and Dalewood’s agri manager, Dries Rossouw.
