Aimée Rogers crowned Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2022

Aimée Rogers of Buchanans Cheesemongers in London, has been named Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2022 at the World Cheese Awards, held in Newport.

The 27-year-old winner competed against five other finalists to win the award, which was set up to recognise and champion fresh talent in the cheese industry.

The competition, organised by the Academy of Cheese, attracted competitors from across the globe, with shortlisted finalists hailing from Japan, Canada and the UK.

Cheesemongers under the age of 30 were invited to apply for a place at the finals by submitting their CV's and cheeseboard recommendations. The six shortlisted finalists travelled to Wales to compete for the title over four rounds, designed to test their cheese knowledge and highlight their mongering skills.

Rogers impressed the judges with her considered cheeseboard suggestions, accurate cut and wrap skills and knowledge of cheeses in both the identification and “MasterRind” rounds, all compered by cheese expert Justin Tunstall.

Commenting on the result, judge Mathew Carver of The Cheese Bar in London said: “Aimée conveyed her passion in a genuine, engaging and honest way and I could tell that she took her role in storytelling the work of the producers very seriously. When we saw she also had the technical skills and knowledge to back it up then the winner was a clear choice."

Carver was joined on the judging panel by Keith Kendrick, editor of BBC Good Food, Tim Rowcliffe from Rowcliffes (now retired) and Dan Bliss, Buyer at Paxton & Whitfield. Bliss added: “We work in the most incredible industry and the Young Cheesemonger of the Year Competition goes such a long way to show the next generation of cheesemongers that this can be a real job, with opportunity, progression and satisfaction."