Fife family dairy celebrates success across five of the UK’s leading cheese competitions St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company has enjoyed an exceptional run of success in 2026, collecting an impressive 17 medals across five of the UK's most respected cheese competitions.
The latest accolades came at last week's International Cheese & Dairy Awards, where the East Neuk family dairy was awarded three Gold medals and one Silver. St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar, Anster and Whisky Barrel Smoked St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar all struck Gold, while Oak Smoked Anster was awarded Silver.
These latest awards capped an extraordinary few weeks for the family. The previous week, St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar and Whisky Barrel Smoked St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar both won Gold at the Scottish Dairy Championships, while Anster and Oak Smoked Anster received Bronze. On the very same day, Anster was also awarded Silver at the Artisan Cheese Awards, adding to the Gold and Silver medals won at the Virtual Cheese Awards in May and four further medals at the British & Irish Cheese Awards in March.
Ironically, despite one of the most successful years in the company's history, the Stewart family have had little opportunity to celebrate.
Apart from sharing their success following the British & Irish Cheese Awards in March, the family have been so busy meeting growing demand for their cheeses that the subsequent awards have
largely gone unannounced.
Based at Falside Farm in the East Neuk of Fife, Robert and Jane Stewart, together with two of their three sons, Ben and Adam, produce an artisan range of cheeses using raw milk from their own Holstein Friesian herd. Since diversifying into cheesemaking in 2008, the family has remained committed to traditional methods, producing every cheese on the farm using traditional animal rennet and heritage starter cultures.
Jane Stewart said:
"It's certainly been a busy few months! Like most family businesses, our priority is simply making great cheese and looking after our customers, so we haven't really had time to stop and reflect on what has been an incredible year. To receive this level of recognition across five prestigious competitions is something we're immensely proud of.
These awards are a tribute to everyone involved. We're fortunate to have exceptional milk from our own herd and a fantastic team who care deeply about what they do. Our Head Cheesemaker, Tim, was absolutely thrilled with the results, and it was wonderful to see his dedication and craftsmanship recognised alongside the hard work that goes into producing the milk on the farm."
The awards reinforce St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company's reputation as one of Scotland's leading artisan cheesemakers, producing traditional farmhouse cheeses that combine exceptional milk, time-honoured cheesemaking techniques and progressive dairy farming. As demand for the range continues to grow, the family remains focused on what they have always done best - crafting distinctive Scottish cheeses by hand on their family farm in Fife.
2026 Awards Summary
- British & Irish Cheese Awards – Silver: Anster. Bronze: Whisky Barrel Smoked St Andrews
Farmhouse Cheddar, Oak Smoked Anster, St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar.
- Virtual Cheese Awards – Gold: Anster, Red Anster. Silver: St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar, Whisky
Barrel Smoked St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar.
- Royal Highland Show Scottish Dairy Championships – Gold: St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar, Whisky
Barrel Smoked St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar. Bronze: Anster, Oak Smoked Anster.
- Artisan Cheese Awards – Silver: Anster.
- International Cheese & Dairy Awards – Gold: St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar, Anster, Whisky Barrel
Smoked St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar. Silver: Oak Smoked Anster.
