If you want to know a thing or two about cheese, then make sure you visit the Great Yorkshire Cheese & Dairy Show at this year's Great Yorkshire Show, which runs from Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 July at Harrogate.

Jayne Hickinbotham, the section's Chief Steward testing cheese at the Great Yorkshire Show

Since the re-introduction of the classes in 2002, the section has gone from strength to strength with entry figures rising year on year. Last year a record-breaking 713 entries were received - more than double those of five years ago and this year's figures look set to be another all time high.

Sponsored by Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc, the Cheese & Dairy Show attracts entrants from across the country, as well as abroad. Competition is fierce in the various categories, which range from classes for hard and soft cheeses to liquid milk, butter, ice cream and yoghurt.

Introduced to the Show for the first time last year, the class for Flavoured Milk is popular, and the Retailer Section, which began two years ago, will see own-label dairy products battling it out for the honours.

Visitors who see themselves as cheese connoisseurs can pick up tips on cheese grading during regular demonstrations and practical sessions throughout the three-day show.

Jayne Hickinbotham, the section's Chief Steward, said as well as daily cheese-making demonstrations by Bob Kitching in the Great Yorkshire Cheese & Dairy Cookery Theatre, visitors will be given an insight into the grading of cheese and dairy products throughout the three-day show during regular seminars.

"We want to share as much information with visitors as possible. Looking at the cheeses that have been judged, we explain to visitors what makes a prize-winner. We explain the judging process and what it takes to win. Using a cheese iron which we push into the cheese, we check for texture, aroma and obviously flavour, amongst other qualities. With ice-creams we look out for the "spoonability'' as well as the balance of sugars and flavours."

Other classes to look out for include Celebrity Choice, when local celebrities are given the chance to pick their favourite dairy product. And schoolchildren from the region are given the chance to become judges during the Children's Class, using skills learnt at the recent Countryside Days, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society at the showground. Youngsters from Pool C of E Primary School, Pool in Wharfedale and from Hebden Royd C of E Primary School, Hebden Bridge discovered what it takes to grade cheese made from pasteurised milk.


"We are delighted with how popular the Cheese & Dairy Show has become. From humble beginnings in 2002 when there were about 100 entries, the Show has grown and grown and the number of categories has become more diverse," said Jayne.

In addition the cookery theatre will give an insight into how to use dairy produce to create a wide range of mouth watering dishes.

Advance tickets can be bought up to and including Wednesday 4 July. For more details telephone 01423 541222 or see the website at www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

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