Affineur Of The Year Finals 2027

Save the date and secure next year’s ticket at this year’s price

Tickets are now on sale for Affineur of the Year 2027 – and for a limited time, you can secure your place at this year’s ticket price.

Following an unforgettable 2026 competition, Affineur of the Year returns to Christ Church Spitalfields, London on Wednesday 9th June, promising another inspiring celebration of craftsmanship, skill and the remarkable art of cheese maturation.

While our competitors are only just beginning their journeys – with the first Cheddars soon to be making their way to the first wave of entrants – the countdown to the Grand Final has officially begun.

Join cheesemakers, cheesemongers, retailers, buyers, affineurs and passionate cheese lovers as the UK’s most talented cheese maturers reveal the results of months of careful decision-making, patience and expertise.

Whether you work in the industry or simply love exceptional cheese, this is your opportunity to experience one of the most exciting dates in the British cheese calendar.

What to Expect

Although we’ll be revealing the full programme over the coming months, you can expect the same buzz, celebration and comradery that made the 2026 event such a success. Not to mention a whole afternoon of eating cheese!

Your ticket will include:

• Access to the Affineur of the Year 2027 Grand Final
• Your chance to be a cheese judge for the day: taste all the competition cheeses and vote for YOUR People’s Choice winner
• Watch live as the competitors cut into their cheeses for the first time
• Live judging and the announcement of the 2027 Champion
• Expert commentary and insights into the science and craft of affinage
• Opportunities to meet leading figures from across the cheese industry
• A vibrant marketplace of ideas, conversations and exceptional cheese
• Plenty of opportunities to network with fellow cheese professionals and enthusiasts

As always, we’ll be welcoming an outstanding panel of judges, exciting competitors and some very special cheeses – all to be announced soon.

The Competition Has Already Begun

Behind every great affineur is a story that starts months before the final.

The first competition cheddars are now being dispatched to competitors across the UK, marking the beginning of a fascinating journey. Over the coming months, each participant will nurture, monitor and develop their cheeses, making countless decisions that will ultimately determine who lifts the Affineur of the Year trophy.

By securing your ticket now, you’ll be there to witness the culmination of that journey.

Why Attend Affineur of the Year Finals?

Affineur of the Year is unlike any other cheese event.

It’s a rare opportunity to experience first-hand how maturation transforms cheese, hear directly from industry experts, discover different approaches to affinage and celebrate the incredible skill that often happens behind the scenes.

The atmosphere throughout the 2026 competition was electric, with competitors, judges and spectators sharing knowledge, debating techniques and celebrating the exceptional standard of British cheese.

If you were there this year, you’ll know exactly why people are already booking for 2027.

If you missed it, now is your chance.

1. Witness Mastery in Action

See firsthand how the UK’s leading affineurs transform young cheeses, each made on the same day from the same batch of milk, into extraordinary works of art through temperature control, humidity management, washing, turning, and other specialist techniques. This is a rare opportunity to observe the results of different affinage philosophies applied to the same base cheeses.

2. Learn from the Best

Gain insights into advanced affinage methods directly from the competitors and cheesemakers. Understand how decisions made during the maturation process dramatically impact flavour development, texture, and overall cheese quality.

3. Educational Value

Whether you’re a professional cheesemonger, aspiring affineur, cheesemaker, or serious cheese enthusiast, this event offers unparalleled learning opportunities. Observe how expert judges assess cheese quality and hear their detailed feedback on each entry.

4. Network with Industry Leaders

Connect with fellow cheese professionals, Academy of Cheese members, award-winning cheesemakers, and passionate affineurs. Build relationships within the artisan cheese community and exchange knowledge with like-minded individuals.

5. Experience Rare Cheeses

Taste competition cheeses that have been matured under unique conditions: many representing one-of-a-kind expressions that will never be replicated exactly. These are not commercially available products but experimental showcases of affinage potential.

6. Celebrate British Cheesemaking

Support and celebrate the UK’s thriving artisan cheese movement, featuring some of Britain’s most iconic cheeses.

Affineur of the Year 2027 sponsors

The Academy of Cheese is grateful to our valued sponsors of the Affineur of the Year awards.

Don’t Miss This Unique Experience

This is more than just a tasting event – it’s a masterclass in the art and science of cheese affinage, a celebration of British artisan cheesemaking, and a unique opportunity to witness and participate in one of the UK’s most prestigious cheese competitions.

Spaces are limited. Book your ticket today.

Stay Connected

Follow the event on social media:

• Instagram: @cheese_academy #AffineurOfTheYear
• Facebook: @academyofCheese
• Twitter: @cheese_academy
• TikTok: @cheese_academy

Cancellations

Please note, once the event is booked it is non-refundable. All bookings are final, however, if you are unable to attend you can reassign your booking  to another person.

We reserve the right to cancel the event at short notice should circumstances beyond our control make this unavoidable. Should this occur, ticket holders will be offered a place on the re-scheduled date.