29/07/2026
Franco Sessa, Cheeselinks' New Zealand rep and NZ Ambassador for the International Cheese and Dairy Award (UK), served as a judge at the 2026 NZ Vegan Cheese Awards, hosted by the Vegan Society of Aotearoa. Joining him on the panel were culinary arts scholar Tracy Berno, food technology specialist Aaron Pucci, vegan pie champion Jason Hay, and actor Tom Sainsbury.
The Supreme Winner was Savour Vegan Creamery's "Cashbert", a cultured cashew Camembert with a genuine mould-ripened rind, praised by the panel as "unctuous and tasty, a perfect addition to any cheeseboard." Standout performers across the categories included Let Them Eat Vegan collecting multiple Gold medals, Epic Foods taking top honours in Feta and Flavoured Cheddar, Zenzo winning Gold for Mozzarella, and One Love Planet earning medals across a wide range of artisan styles.
Cheeselinks' focus is dairy. We supply specialist cultures, rennet, mould spores, and equipment for dairy cheesemakers and commercial producers across Australia and New Zealand. But the techniques behind the best results at these awards are the same disciplines that underpin quality dairy cheesemaking: controlled fermentation, mould-ripening, pH management, and affinage. The craft is not different. The substrate is.
The standard being set by NZ producers in this space reflects the same technical rigour and artisan commitment that defines quality cheesemaking in all its forms.
Congratulations to all the 2026 winners.
The "unctuous and tasty" cheese stood out among a growing array of plant-based options.