Wendover hosts live final of The People's Cheese 2026 as winner announced
Tuppence, made by Roger Longman of White Lake Cheese in Somerset, has been crowned The People’s Cheese 2026, following a live final at St Mary’s Church in Wendover on Saturday 17 October.
Hosted by comedian Marcus Brigstocke alongside Jane Quicke, the event brought together cheesemakers, their champions and hundreds of cheese lovers to celebrate the extraordinary diversity of British cheesemaking.
Professionally filmed and livestreamed across the UK, the final enabled viewers at home to taste the same four cheeses as the audience in the church, using specially prepared tasting boxes, before casting their votes. More than 400 people voted, helping to crown Britain’s best new cheese.
The competition began earlier this year at Chiswick Cheese Market, where up to 500 members of the public tasted 21 newly created British cheeses, selecting four finalists to compete for the title.
The finalists were:
Jemima Wild Filly — Pencw Dairy, championed by Lucy Cufflin
Lindley — Primrose Creamery, championed by Jonathan Pearcey
Carreg Las — Caws Cenarth, championed by Chris Dawson
Tuppence — White Lake Cheese, championed by Ceri Cryer
The final combined short films exploring the stories behind each cheese with live interviews, guided tastings and audience participation, culminating in the public vote that crowned Tuppence the winner.
James Grant, founder of The People’s Cheese and Fellow of the Academy of Cheese, said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled for Roger and everyone at White Lake Cheese. Tuppence is a wonderful winner, but genuinely, every cheese in that final was a winner in my eyes. What excites me most is the imagination, individuality and sheer passion of these cheesemakers. Every cheese was completely different, and each had its own story.”
“The whole point of The People’s Cheese is that we put the decision in the hands of the people who eat and enjoy cheese. These are the people who ultimately decide what ends up on their tables. Giving them the opportunity to discover something extraordinary and choose their favourite is what makes this competition so special.”
From losing his sense of taste to celebrating Britain’s finest cheese
The People’s Cheese was founded in 2023 by cheesemonger and Academy of Cheese Fellow James Grant, following a deeply personal journey.
After undergoing cancer treatment, Grant lost his sense of taste entirely. Its eventual return brought a renewed appreciation for flavour and the extraordinary people producing Britain’s cheeses.
In October 2019, Grant was invited to judge at the World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy. Alongside two fellow judges, he selected Pitchfork Cheddar from Trethowan’s Dairy for a prestigious Super Gold award. The cheese subsequently won Best British Cheese and finished fourth overall from 3,804 entries worldwide.
For Grant, having once lost his ability to taste, the experience was profoundly emotional and helped inspire a competition that would give the public the same opportunity to discover and celebrate exceptional cheese.
The People’s Cheese launched in 2023 with an international livestream from Slow Food’s Cheese festival in Bra, Italy. Broadcast from Slow Food headquarters, with Marcus Brigstocke presenting remotely from London and cheesemakers joining from the festival, the event connected hundreds of participants across the UK, all tasting and judging Cheddars from their homes.
The inaugural competition sought to find the best Cheddar from the UK and Ireland, establishing the principle that continues today: the public, rather than an expert judging panel, decides the winner.
What began as a personal celebration of rediscovered taste has grown into an annual event connecting cheesemakers and consumers through remarkable stories, shared experiences and a genuine love of cheese.
About The Real Cheese Project
Founded by James Grant, The Real Cheese Project champions British farmhouse cheesemaking, the people behind it and the importance of producing food responsibly.
At the heart of the project is a monthly cheese subscription, priced at £17.50, bringing exceptional British cheese directly to subscribers’ homes. Each box includes a specially selected cheese, complementary condiments and a printed copy of the project’s Cheese Crowd magazine. Subscribers are also invited to a live online tasting featuring the cheesemaker, James Grant, Master of Wine Katherine Dart and the producer of that month’s accompanying condiment.
Alongside its subscription, The Real Cheese Project produces original films, producer stories, educational content and live events, connecting consumers with the farms, makers and people behind their food.
Its work celebrates traditional cheesemaking, responsible farming and the future of British cheese production.
The People’s Cheese is one of the project’s flagship initiatives, giving the public a direct voice in celebrating Britain’s cheesemakers.
Following the success of this year’s final, plans are already underway for The People’s Cheese 2027.