Baron Bigod aux Poivres Crowned People's Choice Best Soft Cheese at Affineur of the Year 2026

There are few greater compliments in the world of artisan cheese than recognition from fellow cheesemakers, cheesemongers and dedicated cheese lovers. We are therefore delighted to announce that our Baron Bigod aux Poivres was awarded the People's Choice Award for Best Soft Cheese at Affineur of the Year 2026, a prestigious competition celebrating the art and craft of cheese maturation. The award is a wonderful endorsement not only of Baron Bigod itself, but also of the skill and care that goes into the practice of affinage.

For many cheese lovers, the work of the cheesemaker is well understood, but fewer appreciate the important role played by the affineur. The word affineur comes from the French verb affiner, meaning "to refine". Affinage is the process of nurturing, maturing and developing a cheese after it leaves the dairy, guiding it towards its fullest expression of flavour, texture and character. An affineur carefully controls temperature, humidity and airflow, turning, brushing, washing and monitoring each cheese throughout its maturation. It is a craft that combines science, patience and intuition, with every decision influencing the final result.

At Paxton & Whitfield, affinage has long been central to our philosophy. While great cheese begins with exceptional milk and skilled cheesemaking, maturation can unlock an entirely new dimension of complexity. It is this belief that led us to create Baron Bigod aux Poivres, an interpretation of Fen Farm Dairy's celebrated Suffolk brie-style cheese, refined through careful maturation and finished with a generous coating of cracked pepper.

The journey from young cheese to award-winning creation takes place in our maturing rooms in Bourton-on-the-Water. Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, these specialist ageing rooms provide the precise conditions required for cheeses to develop slowly and naturally. Temperature, humidity and airflow are continually monitored, allowing our team to guide each cheese towards its ideal point of ripeness. It is here that Baron Bigod aux Poivres develops its distinctive personality, marrying the rich, buttery character of Baron Bigod with the warming spice and aromatic complexity of black pepper.

While every award-winning cheese is the result of teamwork, special recognition must go to Jazz Reeves, Quality Manager at Paxton & Whitfield, whose expertise, dedication and meticulous attention to detail brought Baron Bigod aux Poivres to life. From overseeing the maturation process to refining the final flavour profile, Jazz's skill as an affineur was instrumental in transforming an exceptional cheese into an award-winning one. This People's Choice Award is a fitting recognition of the passion and craftsmanship she brings to her work every day.

The result is a soft cheese of remarkable balance. Beneath the delicate white rind lies a luxuriously creamy paste, with notes of cultured cream, fresh butter and mushrooms. The cracked pepper coating adds gentle heat and fragrant spice, enhancing rather than overwhelming the cheese's natural richness. It is a cheese that invites conversation and rewards careful tasting, making it particularly popular on cheeseboards and among visitors to our shops.

The Affineur of the Year competition, organised by the Academy of Cheese, shines a spotlight on one of the most skilled yet often overlooked disciplines within the cheese industry. Established to celebrate the art and science of cheese maturation, the competition challenges affineurs to take young cheeses and develop them using their own expertise, with judging focused on technical excellence, innovation and flavour development. Alongside the judges' awards, visitors have the opportunity to vote for their favourites, making the People's Choice categories a particularly valued accolade.

The Academy of Cheese has become the leading authority for cheese education in the UK, promoting knowledge, training and professional development across every part of the industry. Paxton & Whitfield is proud to have been a founding partner of the Academy and continues to play an active role in its mission to raise standards and understanding throughout the cheese world. As an accredited Academy of Cheese Training Partner, we regularly deliver Level One courses in London, helping both enthusiasts and industry professionals deepen their appreciation of cheese, from milk and cheesemaking through to affinage, tasting and retail. The Academy's commitment to education has helped strengthen Britain's thriving artisan cheese sector, making it a fitting organiser of a competition that celebrates excellence in maturation and craftsmanship.

To receive the People's Choice Award for Best Soft Cheese is particularly meaningful because it reflects the enthusiasm of those who tasted the cheeses themselves. In a competition dedicated to showcasing the very best of British affinage, the recognition of Baron Bigod aux Poivres is a testament to the expertise of our maturing team, led by Jazz Reeves, and the exceptional quality of the cheese crafted by Fen Farm Dairy.

From the dairy in Suffolk to our ageing rooms in Bourton-on-the-Water, Baron Bigod aux Poivres demonstrates what can happen when outstanding cheesemaking meets thoughtful maturation. It is a celebration of the affineur's craft, and we are honoured that it captured the imagination – and the votes – of so many cheese lovers at Affineur of the Year 2026.

Originally, Baron Bigod aux Poivres was created exclusively for the Affineur of the Year competition. It was never intended to become part of our regular range. However, following its success at the awards and the enthusiastic response from everyone who tasted it, we are beginning to wonder whether this should be the end of the story. If there is sufficient interest, we may produce a limited batch in the future. If you would like the opportunity to purchase Baron Bigod aux Poivres should it return, simply register your interest and we'll be the first to let you know if this award-winning cheese makes a comeback.

For more than 225 years, Paxton & Whitfield has worked with exceptional cheesemakers and producers, selecting, maturing and refining cheeses that showcase the very best of British and European cheesemaking. Awards such as this recognise not only the quality of the cheeses themselves, but also the enduring importance of affinage in bringing every cheese to its fullest potential.