The Tesco Cheese Challenge

Q. What is the Tesco Cheese Challenge 2008?

A.A challenge open to small UK cheesemakers to produce a unique cheese to launch in our stores in autumn 2008.

Q. Which Cheesemakers qualify as entrants to The Challenge?

A. All UK Cheesemakers that produce less than 5000 tonnes per annum, per manufacturing site can enter. (Final product and production facilities must meet Tesco standards.)

Q. Which cheeses qualify for the Tesco Cheese Challenge?

A. New or existing cheeses sold at farmers markets, through wholesalers or through retailers with less than 20 outlets are eligible to enter. The cheese may not be supplied to any retailer with more than 20 outlets before or during the 18 week period that Tesco take it into their stores.

Q. What are the categories?

A. The categories are: Soft & fresh and semi-soft and wash rinded, Flavoured Cheese (including smoked), Hard, Sheep and goats milk cheese and Blue.

If you are unsure which category to enter your cheese in, please contact Rebecca Cook on 08456 447 660 for clarification.

Q. Can unpasteurised cheeses be entered?

A. Yes, but they must comply with Tesco guidelines for the manufacture of unpasteurised cheese. For a copy of Tesco guidelines on unpasteurised cheese, please contact Rebecca Cook on 08456 447 660.

Q. What are the production requirements?

A. The cheese must be produced in the UK and processed from milk sourced from UK farms.

Q. Who will judge the Tesco Cheese Challenge?

A. A panel made up of independent judges from the cheese industry, the media, and representatives from Tesco.

Q. When will the judging take place?

A. Key dates for the Tesco Cheese Challenge 2008 are; Entry deadline – 21st May 2008, Instructions for samples will be sent – 30th May 2008, Samples deadline – 11th June 2008, Preliminary judging – 13th June 2008, Final judging – 3rd July 2008.

Q. What is the prize for the 2008 Challenge Winner and Category Winners?

A.The overall winner will receive a National listing in Tesco Stores and commercial guidance and support from Tesco in order to give the product every chance of a successful launch for the exclusive 18 week period.

The winner of the other 4 categories will receive a regional listing in Tesco based on their supply capacity. Technical and marketing support will be provided by Tesco Local Buying Teams.

Q. What restrictions are placed on the site of production?

A. Challenge entries and bulk production must be produced on the site whose address appears on the entry form and ultimately the label of the winning product. Should your product become a finalist, your site of production may be inspected by Tesco to ensure it complies with Tesco quality standards.