CHEESE experts at The Courtyard Dairy, near Austwick, took home a host of awards at two separate ceremonies last month.

Cheese Shop of The Year was awarded by The Guild of Fine Food, and Cheesemonger of the Year by Farm Shop & Deli Awards. The icing on the cake, however, was the award of ‘National Food Shop of the Year’ at the Farm Shop & Deli Awards, where there was stiff competition.

Kathy Swinscoe, co-owner of The Courtyard Dairy, said: “It was brilliant to be recognised by both awards as a fantastic cheesemonger, but we were blown away to receiveNational Food Shop of the Year’ award. It is such a credit to all of our fantastic staff, our customers and, particularly, the small independent cheese-makers we work with.”

The judges included Radio 2’s Nigel Barden, who was particularly impressed by The Courtyard Dairy’s total dedication to cheese which he said came “with no compromise.”