The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland has announced the winners of its ‘Cheese Creative’ recipe competition. The competition is part of the ‘Cheese Up Your Life’ programme which celebrates the quality, variety and versatility of European cheese.
Selected by the judges for their creativity, innovation and fantastic taste, the winning dishes were: Savoury Sunday Supper Cheesecake from local bloggers ‘Down the Hatch NI’ made with Northern Ireland Cheddar, and Camembert and caramelised onion tart with gingerbread and fig by Merchant Hotel Chef Vital Sgibnevas. These inspiring and original dishes showcased the entrants’ passion for cheese by making it the ‘star of the show’.
As well as each receiving €1,000, Lynsey Hollywood from ‘Down the Hatch’ and Vital will now travel to meet other winning bloggers and chefs from across Europe at a celebratory Cheese Symposium in Brussels in June.
Commenting Dr Mike Johnston, Chief Executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland said,
“We were delighted with the exceptionally high standard of entries to the competition and the bloggers and chefs enthusiasm for cooking with cheese really came across in their delicious dishes.”
Pictured with judges Cook and Food Writer Trish Deseine, Dr Mike Johnston, Chief Executive of the Dairy Council of NI and Joy Alexander Head of Food Technology Development at Loughrey College, are Lynsey Hollywood and Robert Ainley ‘Down the Hatch NI’ and The Merchant Hotel Head Function Chef Vitalijus Sgibnevas
See more photographs from the Reception for the winners at the Merchant Hotel, Belfast