The annual Cheesemonger Awards, better known as Mondial du Fromage, have been announced following the 2023 edition held in Tours, France. The event gathered 16 cheesemongers from around the world to battle out for the title of the World's Best Cheesemonger this 10-12th September.
The 2023 winner was France's Vincent Philippe, ahead of American Sam Rollins in second and the UK's Nick Bayne in third. Each competitor needs to perform a number of tasks during the tournament, including building a perfect cheese plate which involves crafting a cheese sculpture and designing an artistic presentation in line with this year's theme - "Cheese in the Stars." Other tasks include a cheese tasting, an oral examination and several other assessments.
The 16 entrants this year came from across the Globe, including from France, Japan, Russia, the USA, Peru, Italy, the United Kingdom and Australia. The victor, Philippe, has been a cheesemonger since 2000 and heads up Maison Bordier in Noyal-sur-Vilaine. Second place Rollins is from the highly praised Cow Bell Fine Cheese in Portland, whilst Bayne plies his trade at The Fine Cheese Co in Bath, UK.
The Mondial du Fromage competition also sees the International Products Competition held, as well as Best Apprentices Cheesemonger Competition too. Find out more about the entire awards here.