Meet Affineur of the Year award-winners, hear about their new cheeses and taste along

Join us for a free pre-event webinar ahead of Affineur of the Year 2026

Step inside and be inspired by the world of award-winning cheese with two of the most exciting names in the industry. This special session brings together a cheesemaker and a cheesemonger – each with a unique perspective on innovation, affinage, and what happens after winning big.

The Cheesemaker: Claire Burt (Burt’s Cheese)

Winner of the Blue Cheese category in 2024, Claire will share how her success inspired the creation of an entirely new cheese: Bidlea Blue. Hear the story behind evolving a winning style into something fresh, distinctive, and commercially viable.

The Cheesemonger: Perry Wakeman (3x Affineur of the Year Winner)

A celebrated cheesemonger and three-time winner, Perry will reveal how his affinage expertise led to the development of Dillon, a new cheese inspired by the techniques he used on his 2025-winning Quickes cheddar.

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Guided Tasting with Optional Tasting Pack

Enhance your experience with a side-by-side tasting of:

  • Burt’s Blue (Claire’s signature cheese)
  • Bidlea Blue (her newest creation)

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