Affineur of the Year Awards

LA FROMAGERIE is delighted to be one of the sponsors of Affineur of the Award Competition taking place this June, a celebration of cheese maturation and innovation. 

Patricia will also be one of the judges alongside other cheese industry professionals including David Bazergue, the Délégué Générale of the Fédération des Fromagers de France,  and Virginie Boularouah of Chez Virginie in Montmartre and the is the president of the commission on Affinage at the FFF

“Affineur of the Year” is a unique opportunity for cheesemongers and cheesemakers to showcase, across the world, the skill and artistry involved in ageing a cheese to its full potential and pushing the boundaries of cheese innovation.

The competition, launched in 2022 by the Academy of Cheese and Quicke’s, started with ten affineurs taking a young Quicke’s Clothbound Cheddar and maturing it over the course of 12 months.

Now in its fourth year, Affineur of the Year has expanded the number of cheese categories to include different Make Post-Make varieties of cheese, to allow more competitors the opportunity to highlight and showcase a full range of affinage techniques, specific to those categories.

This year, as well as a Hard cheese category (Quicke’s Cheddar), entrants are being sought to age a Blue (Cropwell Bishop Blue Shropshire), a Soft (Fen Farm Dairy Baron Bigod), a Washed Rind cheese (Whitelake Solstice) and a Crumbly (Trethowan Brothers’ Gorwydd Caerphilly).

As with previous years, the Finals event will be held in London, where competitors, judges and industry spokespeople will come together to reveal, assess and taste the cheeses. Winners for each category will be chosen and the overall Champion will be crowned Affineur of the Year 2025.

Guests are also invited to vote for their winner of the People’s Choice Award.

New for 2025: The winner will receive a full scholarship to the Mons Formation Affinage: The Art & Science of Affinage course in Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, France.

Find our more and purchase tickets to the event

There will also be two masterclasses taking place during the afternoon whilst the cheeses are being judged, so this is the perfect opportunity for you to sharpen your skills and knowledge. You do not need to pre-book your spot, but places are on a first-come, first-served basis.