Cheeseboard of the Year Competition returns for 2026
The British Culinary Federation (BCF) has announced the return of the Cheeseboard of the Year Competition for 2026.
The competition is a national search for the finest cheese selections served across UK restaurants, hotels, and delis.
Reviving a legacy competition
The initiative builds on the legacy of the former Best British Cheeseboard of the Year, created by cheese expert, author and educator Juliet Harbutt, whose campaign in the 1990s helped spark a revival of British and Irish farmhouse cheeses.
Today, that renaissance means many of the best cheeseboards across the country feature homegrown produce alongside celebrated international varieties - something the BCF competition now embraces.
Unlike earlier editions, this year’s contest welcomes entries featuring cheeses from any origin, whether British, Irish, French, Italian, Swiss or Spanish, reflecting the breadth of choice now available to chefs and cheesemongers.
A celebration of balance and creativity
The competition is open to any establishment offering a cheeseboard, whether served from a trolley or plated in the kitchen.
Entrants will be judged on the balance, variety, and presentation of their cheese selection, with particular focus on providing something for every palate.
Competitors are asked to submit details of their chosen cheeses, supporting photographs of the presentation, a copy of their cheese menu where available, and a short explanation behind their selection.
Entries open on January 2, 2026, and close on March 31, 2026. Finalists will then be visited
in person by the judging panel to experience their cheeseboards as served to guests. Each competitor will also receive professional feedback from the judges.
Winners will be announced at the BCF Annual Awards Ceremony in June 2026, with the £30 entry fee supporting the cost of prizes and administration.
Meet the judges
The 2026 judging panel brings together three highly respected figures from the cheese world:
Simeon Hudson-Evans – A former hotel and catering professional who fell in love with cheese after opening Hudson’s Deli in 1984. Simeon founded Fromage to Age in 2003, later joining forces with Aubrey Allen in 2013. He is a judge at the British, International and World Cheese Awards, as well as the Great Taste Awards, and serves as a training partner at the Academy of Cheese.
Bob Atkins – known affectionately as 'Bob the Cheese', Bob began his career with August Noel before founding B&S Dairies in the Midlands. He built a reputation for curating premium cheeseboards for top hotels and restaurants, working closely with producers both in the UK and overseas.
Tanny Gill – With over two decades of experience in the British cheese industry, including five years producing Isle of Mull cheddar and time at La Fromagerie, Tanny is a training partner for the Academy of Cheese in Scotland. A passionate advocate for Scottish cheesemakers, he works with independent retailers and hospitality suppliers to champion local producers.
For entry details, visit the British Culinary Federation website.
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Cheeseboard of the Year Competition returns for 2026
