First Milk has once again demonstrated the quality of its cheesemaking by winning an impressive 26 awards, including eight gold, 11 silver and one bronze medal, together with six major trophies, at this year's International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA).

Held annually, the ICDA is the world's largest cheese show and this year's event attracted the highest number of entries in several years. With many of the creamery Cheddar classes receiving between 30 and 40 entries, competition was strong.

First Milk was recognised across a range of Cheddar and regional cheese classes, highlighting the consistent quality of the British-owned co-operative's prized cheese. 

It also secured six trophies, including:

• The Graham Nichol Trophy awarded to the Best UK Creamery Block Cheddar
• The Kalt Trophy awarded to the Best English Creamery Block Cheddar
• The CHR Hansen Trophy awarded to the Champion Double Gloucester
• The Tetra Pak Tebel Award awarded to the Best Extra Mature Creamery Block Cheddar
• The ICDA Award awarded to the Best Medium Creamery Block Cheddar
• The First Milk Past Masters Trophy awarded in the prestigious class open only to previous Supreme Champion winners.

Four of the medals were awarded to cheeses in First Milk's Golden Hooves brand, which showcases the co-operative's emphasis on regenerative farming.

Commenting on the results, First Milk Customer Quality Manager Jack Eade said: "These awards are incredibly hard won and reflect the dedication, expertise and passion of everyone involved in producing our cheese. To receive recognition across so many categories at one of the world's most respected cheese competitions is something everyone at First Milk can be enormously proud of.

"While our grading team selects and prepares the entries, none of these achievements would be possible without the commitment of our farmer members producing exceptional quality milk, and the highly skilled teams at our creameries transforming it into consistently award-winning cheese."

The results continue First Milk's long-standing record of success at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards and reinforce its reputation for producing consistently high-quality British cheese across a wide range of recipes and styles.