An Enterprise from Smolensk Ranked First in the International Cheese Contest in France
The Russian team of cheese producers has represented the country in the prestigious international Fromonval cheese contest in France. A product sample made by the farming enterprise of Lyubov Gorbacheva from the Tyomkino District of the Smolensk Region has been recognized to be the best white mould cheese producer.
The contest took place in Mamirolle, France, and dozens of the top cheese producers from France and neighbouring countries (such as Switzerland, Germany and Italy) have applied for participation aimed to present over 350 kinds of cheese and cheese products. Several cheesemaking enterprises from the Tula, Smolensk, Yaroslavl and Moscow Regions presented Russia in the contest.
The Fromonval contest has been arranged for the seventh year running and marks an important event for the cheese makers from the east of France, in particular representing the Lorraine and Franche-Comté regions. Participation in the event is a matter of prestige, as it is considered to be the second most important contest in the French Republic. Besides, Mamirolle is the place where the French National Dairy School is located, which is one of the major agricultural institutions training students to become professional cheese-makers. The academic staff is represented with real experts in cheese making, who make up the backbone of the jury. The total of 210 jury members were invited to judge the contest.
“Lyubov Gorbacheva’s farming enterprise is actively involved in festivals and competitions. This is a convenient and effective way to find new partners and to promote their products. For example, the cheese varieties by Tyomkino producer are regularly awarded the first prizes at the Istra cheese festival. This is the way for the enterprise to increase the number of trading partners; the enterprise is already supplying the cheese produced to the cafes and restaurants of Moscow and the Moscow Region,” Oleg Vorobyov, Head of Department of Industry and Trade of the Smolensk Region, noted. “On behalf of the Department, we are ready to assist the cheese producers of the Smolensk Region in finding the raw materials and selling the finished products.”