Klein River Cheese, nestled in the picturesque town of Stanford, has achieved a monumental milestone at the 2024 World Cheese Awards, held at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu in Portugal. Competing against over 4,700 cheeses from around the globe, the artisan cheesemakers brought home two remarkable accolades: a Supergold award for their Oak Smoked Stanford, which was also crowned Best South African Cheese, and a Bronze award for their Overberg cheese.
A Celebration of Craftsmanship
The Oak Smoked Stanford, a smoked semi-hard cheese made in the traditional Alpine style, emerged as a standout in the competition. Crafted from Jersey cows’ milk, this cheese undergoes a meticulous maturation process, where 12 kg wheels are aged for four months on natural timber, carefully brushed and turned weekly. Its crowning touch comes from an 18-hour cold-smoking process using oak shavings, imparting the rich, smoky flavour that captivated the judges.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and passion of our team,” said Clement October, head cheesemaker at Klein River Cheese. “We hope this inspires the next generation in South Africa to pursue excellence in the artisan food space.”
The Supergold designation is among the highest honours at the World Cheese Awards, which is regarded as the pinnacle of global cheese competitions. Judged by 240 international experts across 104 panels, entries were assessed on appearance, aroma, texture, and flavour in a blind tasting, ensuring fairness and objectivity.
Highlighting South African Excellence
In addition to the Oak Smoked Stanford’s triumph, Klein River Cheese’s Overberg, an aged Gouda-style cheese with a rich, nutty profile, earned a Bronze award, further solidifying the brand’s reputation for excellence. This success highlights the skill of Klein River’s team and elevates South Africa’s presence on the world stage.
Raymond Siebrits, Managing Director of Klein River Cheese, expressed his pride in the recognition: “Team South Africa brought home amazing awards this year, and we are humbled that our small business can be seen as being among the best in the world. Our Oak Smoked Stanford and Overberg are a true reflection of our provenance, and this inspires us to keep doing what we love.”
Driving Global Recognition for South African Cheese
Klein River Cheese’s achievements underscore the growing reputation of South African artisan foods on the global stage. With a commitment to quality and innovation, the company not only honours traditional cheesemaking techniques but also drives the local food industry forward.
This international acclaim is a win not just for Klein River but for the broader South African artisan food community. As these awards shine a spotlight on the skill and dedication behind each handcrafted wheel of cheese, Klein River Cheese serves as an inspiring example of how local passion and craftsmanship can achieve global recognition.