• CELEBRATING INNOVATION, CRAFTMANSHIP AND IMPACT ACROSS THE GLOBAL CHEESE, DAIRY & WIDER FOOD INDUSTRIES

Recognising Excellence across cheese and dairy

24-25 JUNE 2026 ·

STAFFORDSHIRE 
COUNTY SHOWGROUND

CONNECTING DAIRY'S FUTURE

  • [About]

Celebrating Excellence Since 1897

The International Cheese & Dairy Awards is the world’s longest-running and largest dairy awards scheme. For over 125 years, we’ve championed cheese and dairy producers—offering a fair, respected, and internationally recognised platform to showcase quality, craftsmanship and innovation.


A World-Class Platform

  • Over 4,500 entries annually
  • Products from 20+ countries
  • Held alongside the International Cheese & Dairy EXPO
  • Fully independent, not-for-profit and industry-driven


What Makes Us Different

  • We judge across the full dairy spectrum - from traditional Cheddar and Red Leicester to butter, cream, yogurt, dips, and plant-based innovations.
  • We welcome producers of every scale - from farmhouse cheesemakers to global processors.
  • Judging takes place in a climate-controlled venue designed for technical integrity.


ICDA has grown to become an internationally trusted mark of quality - valued by buyers, retailers, and consumers worldwide.

  • [At a glance]

Why enter

Proven Business Impact

Entering the International Cheese & Dairy Awards is not just about winning—it’s about benchmarking, brand-building, and belonging to a world-class community.


  • Boost listings: Retailers and buyers actively use ICDA results to source products—winners gain traction in domestic and export markets.
  • Sales uplift: Award-winning products typically report 10–30% increases in sales post-win (based on feedback from past entrants and industry reports).
  • Global marketing currency: The ICDA medal is recognised globally, offering producers a trustworthy mark of excellence on pack and online.

Industry Validation

  • Judged by over 250 technical experts, buyers, retailers, chefs and industry leaders—ICDA medals are awarded only to the most deserving.
  • Blind judging process ensures impartiality and integrity, a key trust point for consumers and trade alike.
  • Your product joins a lineage of excellence going back to 1897.


Export Acceleration


Success at the ICDA opens export opportunities via:


  • Trade introductions
  • Use of the award logo in international marketing
  • Inclusion in promotional campaigns with export bodie


  • [TRUSTED. TRANSPARENT. WORLD-CLASS]

Judging


ICDA judging is a benchmark of global best practice. Our process is rigorous, fair, and focused on identifying genuine quality, without bias toward scale or origin.

The Panel

  • Over 250 independent judges
  • Representing 35+ countries
  • Drawn from across retail, foodservice, buying, grading, journalism, education, and production


Each judging team is carefully curated for balance - by geography, gender, discipline, and experience. Inspired by the best practice, we welcome new judges annually to maintain freshness and diversity.

The Process

All entries are blind tasted and scored against calibrated benchmarks. Products are evaluated on:


  • Appearance
  • Texture
  • Aroma
  • Flavour
  • Mouthfeel


Judges work in groups, with moderation and feedback processes ensuring consistency.

Judging Outcomes

  • All entrants receive confirmation of judging status
  • Award winners gain immediate access to branded collateral, certificates and logos
  • Trophy winners are profiled in the press and through our EXPO platform


Judging takes place at the Staffordshire County Showground, with full climate control and a logistics infrastructure tailored to dairy excellence.

[JOIN US IN JUNE 2026]

Ready to take your place in dairy's future?

Join thousands of professionals, buyers and producers building resilience and excellence across the cheese and dairy sector for two unforgettable days in Stafford.