Belton Farm, Waitrose and Lancashire Farm Dairies take top honours at ICDA 2025
By The Dairy Mail Team
There was a strong sense of celebration – and a touch of healthy rivalry – at this year’s International Cheese & Dairy Awards, held in June at the Staffordshire County Showground. As ever, the competition brought together the best in British and international dairy, with thousands of entries submitted across cheese and dairy categories.
In a year that saw standards higher than ever, it was Belton Farm who claimed the top accolade of Supreme Champion Cheese, sponsored by Novonesis – a testament to their enduring quality, craft and consistency. Close behind was the respected Dewlay Cheesemakers, who were named Reserve Champion Cheese.
In the non-cheese category, Lancashire Farm Dairies scooped the title of Supreme Champion Dairy Product, sponsored by IFF, recognising the business’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence in cultured dairy.
Championships showcase national and international strength
This year’s Championship round celebrated excellence across borders. Belton Farm continued their winning streak, also securing the title of Champion UK, while Dewlay once again earned Reserve.
On the international stage, Rygge Meieri of Norway was crowned Champion Overseas, with Ornua Foods (Ireland) named Reserve. Both are strong indicators of the global reputation and reach of the Awards – and a reminder that the UK dairy sector remains firmly on the map alongside its international peers.
Retailers recognised for exceptional delivery to consumers
Retailers play a vital role in shaping the nation’s cheese and dairy offer – and this year, Waitrose proved their dominance, collecting multiple major titles. They were awarded both the WIPAK Trophy for Supreme Cheese Retailer and the IFF Trophy for Supreme Dairy Retailer, as well as leading across a range of category-specific awards, from soft and goats’ cheese to milk, cream, and smoked cheeses.
Elsewhere, Morrisons was recognised for its strength in territorial and butter categories, Musgrove Retail Partnersearned the blue cheese title, and Tesco claimed the sheep’s cheese award. The full list of retailer wins paints a detailed picture of the category landscape in 2025.
In a nod to the importance of accompaniments and presentation, Dauntsey Preserves was named Cheese Board Champion, a popular win that underscores the role of supporting flavours in elevating the cheese experience.
Industry excellence on show
Speaking after the awards, ICDA Awards Director Steve Moncrieff said:
“This year’s winners reflect not just technical excellence, but the resilience and ingenuity that characterise the dairy industry at its best. From longstanding producers like Belton Farm to retail partners delivering quality to millions of customers, these awards highlight a sector that continues to evolve, inspire, and lead.”
The ICDA Awards, now more than 125 years old, remain the largest and most influential awards of their kind. And as this year’s results show, the UK dairy sector continues to punch well above its weight on a global stage.
With next year’s Awards already in planning and the International Cheese & Dairy EXPO growing in ambition, there’s never been a better time to be part of dairy’s future.
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