Contribution to Cheese award presented to Carlo Fiori at World Cheese Awards 2019

Following a record-breaking edition of the World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy on Friday 18 October, Carlo Fiori of Luigi Guffanti 1876 was honoured with the competition’s annual Contribution to Cheese award, in recognition of a career in cheese that has spanned over half a century. Announced at a celebratory dinner held at Castello Visconteo in Cassano D’Adda, the award was presented by last year’s Contribution to Cheese award recipient, Jason Hinds from Neal's Yard Dairy in the UK.

Based in the town of Arona in Northern Italy, Carlo Fiori heads up one of the world’s most respected affineurs. Selecting and aging the very best artisan cheese from across Italy and Europe, the team at Luigi Guffanti 1876 are continuing a family tradition that has been upheld for five generations, pushing the boundaries of the affineur’s art and creating a niche for ultra-aged cheeses.

Regularly supplying some of the world’s top Michelin-star restaurants, Carlo stocks around 300 different cheeses. Some 90% come from Italian cheesemakers, including Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Provolone and Robiola, while the others are an eclectic mix of European favourites, ranging from French Comté to Spanish Cabrales. Guided by the motto ‘cheese never dies’, Carlo and his team are dedicated to the research, selection and development of dairy excellence, creating unique products from meticulously sourced cheeses.

Jason Hinds commented:

“I have worked in this wonderful industry for nearly 30 years, and in that time I can count on the fingers of one hand the moments when I have met someone and realised that I was in the presence of greatness. Carlo Fiori has spent his career pushing the boundaries with an extreme approach to aging cheese and as a result, Luigi Guffanti 1876 produces cheese that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Whether burying it in the ground for six months or drowning it in a local liquor, Carlo is fearless in his pursuit of excellence. Greatness is a big word. For me, this is not just about personal achievements, but also a generosity of spirit, humility, curiosity… a passion for cheese and people. Carlo Fiori embodies all of these qualities.”

Taking place in Italy for the first time in its 32 year history, the World Cheese Awards was hosted by Bergamo’s annual FORME cheese festival and a new dairy trade show, B2Cheese. Following a record-breaking 3,804 entries from 42 different countries being judged in a single day at Fiera di Bergamo, Rogue River Blue from Rogue Creamery in the USA won the title of World Champion Cheese, while a 24-month aged Nazionale del Parmigiano Reggiano Latteria Sociale Santo Stefano was named Best Italian Cheese, coming second in the competition overall.

For more information about the World Cheese Awards, visit www.gff.co.uk/wca.