St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company’s Cheshire style cheese triumphs at prestigious UK cheese competition!
Anster, the delicate, pale, and crumbly, Cheshire style cow’s milk cheese from St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company, has been named Best Scottish Cheese at the British & Irish Cheese Awards 2025. This coveted prize was awarded at the 29th edition of the Awards, which took place on Friday 21 March 2025 during the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival in Somerset.
Anster, which also scooped GOLD in the Cheshire category, was selected from hundreds of entries, showcasing some of the finest cheeses from across the UK and Ireland.
Anster’s Unique Profile
Anster is a Cheshire-style cheese, traditionally made with the raw milk from St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company’s own herd of home-bred cows. The cheese is typically aged for two to four months, developing a complex, mild flavour. A touch of citrus on the finish is complemented by subtle mushroomy notes next to the natural rind, making it a distinctive and well-loved variety in the world of Scottish cheeses.
Jane Stewart, co-founder of St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company, shared her excitement and pride in receiving the award:
“We were thrilled to be awarded Best Scottish Cheese at the British & Irish Cheese Awards. This competition is recognised globally as a showcase of the very best of UK dairy products. Our win is a great accolade for our dedicated team here on the farm. We are very proud to be recognised by our peers in the industry, and to fly the flag for Scottish cheese in particular!”
The British & Irish Cheese Awards 2025
The awards, organised by The Royal Bath & West Society, featured nearly 600 entries from across the UK and Ireland, assessed by 52 expert judges from the cheese industry, including cheesemakers, cheesemongers, buyers, and commentators. The judging was split into two rounds: in the first, entries were judged within individual classes and awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold accolades. In the second round, Gold award winners competed to identify the category champions, culminating in the final round to select the Supreme Champion and Reserve Champion.
While Anster took the title of Best Scottish Cheese, the Supreme Champion title went to Burford, an Alpine-style, washed-rind cheese from King Stone Dairy in Gloucestershire. Other category winners included Clara, an ash-coated goat’s cheese log from Harvey and Brockless (Best English Cheese), and Saval, a washed rind Caerphilly from Caws Teifi Cheese (Best Welsh Cheese).
Celebrating St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company
Founded in 2004 by Jane and her husband, Bob Stewart, St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company is a family-run business nestled in the heart of the East Neuk of Fife. The company’s commitment to producing high-quality cheeses with a focus on provenance, sustainability, and traditional cheesemaking methods has made it a standout in the world of Scottish dairy. This latest award is just one of many accolades that the company has received over the years, cementing its place as a leader in the Scottish cheesemaking scene.
Anster’s success at the British & Irish Cheese Awards adds to the growing recognition of Scottish cheese on the global stage. The Stewart family’s dedication to preserving traditional farming and cheesemaking practices ensures that St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company continues to produce award-winning cheeses that capture the true flavour of Scotland.
For more information about St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company and their range of award-winning cheeses, visit their website at www.standrewscheese.com.
