What does it take to make the best cheese and ice-cream in the country?

Well a unique breed of taste testing judges have made their decision here in Brisbane.

Carla Howarth reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Here at the Dairy Produce Show at the RNA showgrounds, Australia’s Kings of Dairy were crowned today.

Over the past three days, judges have had the lucky task of flexing their taste buds on Australia’s finest.

Almost 450 of our best cheeses and more than 150 ice-creams, gelati and sorbets were in the line-up.

And this is a serious business.

Russell Smith, Chief Judge: “We judge on three criteria. So, appearance, texture and flavour.”

Taking out three of the prizes for Australia’s best ice-cream is Queensland’s Colin James Fine Food.

Colin James Cunningham, Grand Champion: “We get a lot of people who come into our shop in Maleny who tell us that our product is the best they’ve ever, ever tasted anywhere in the world.”

And Australian cheeses are giving France a run for its money.

Michael Dalton, Berrys Creek Distributor: “Fairly recently we’ve seen a great expansion in artisanal cheese production.”

Like a good cheese, this competition is one of the RNA’s oldest.

The best part about all of this. I get to celebrate the champions with a glass of wine and some prize-winning cheese. Bon Appetite.

Carla Howarth, QUT News.