DISCOVER THE WINNERS AND NOMINEES 2024

Léo is a cream-maker and cheesemaker in Brussels, Belgium, where he opened La Fruitière in 2017 with his mother. Practically born in a Comté vat, he chose the Milky Way in 2012. In 2016 he obtained his CQP in cheese-making in Paris. Fascinated by the terroir and the little and big stories that make up the world of cheese, he decided to move to Belgium to open a polymorphous place that combines a retail creamery, a cheese bar and an urban dairy.

Curious and voracious, he has forged a long relationship with the world of beer in particular, with whom he loves to collaborate on a regular basis at international level.

Thibault, 34, was born in Annecy. After studying landscape design, taking a step into the events business, then another in catering, he found himself propelled into the world of cheese.

The bronze medallist in the 2023 Concours Mondial du Meilleur Fromager, and the champion of the Cheesemonger Invitational in Summer 2015, Nick Bayne began working for The Fine Cheese Co. after moving to the United Kingdom in early 2018. He is currently responsible for sourcing and selecting all European artisan cheeses that The Fine Cheese Co. imports to the UK. He also contributes a regular column to Taste of France, and is a member of the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers.

Alex Armstrong is a Certified Cheese Professional (CCP™) and Certified Cheese Sensory Evaluator (CCSE™) working with Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro, Vermont USA. He has been in the cheese industry for over 10 years beginning as an apprentice cheesemaker before moving into cheesemongering across the US.

In 2014 Mathew started The Cheese Truck a yellow 1970’s ex-ice cream van serving irresistible grilled cheese sandwiches. Sourcing all cheese direct from small producers they set about to champion British Cheese. Fast forward 10 years and he’s added four cheese focused sites to his endeavours including the worlds first cheese conveyor belt restaurant in Covent Garden, London as well as a co-authoring The Cheese Life book. He knows a thing or two about melting cheese.