A young Tasmanian cheesemonger is set to represent Tasmania at the World Cheese Awards in Portugal next week.
Lily Jenkins, who works at Hill Street Grocer in Sandy Bay, is one of six finalists in the 2024 Young Cheesemonger of the Year Award.
She will travel to Viseu, Portugal, to compete against five other shortlisted candidates, four from the UK and one other Australian from Victoria.
Jenkins, who has been working as a cheesemonger for the last 18 months, said she was thrilled to be selected as a finalist.
“I was pretty excited when I found out I was selected as a finalist,” she said.
“So I spoke to Marco Nikitaras, one of the Hill Street owners, and he was on board straight away, agreeing that Hill Street would sponsor me by helping with my travel costs.”
She said it’s “all happened very quickly” and she is “beyond excited”, albeit “a little nervous”.
Hill Street Co-Owner Marco Nikitaras said he is blown away by Lily’s knowledge of cheese.
“I know she will do Hill Street and Tasmania proud at this prestigious international event,” he said.
The competition is administered by the UK-based Academy of Cheese and tests cheesemongers on their knowledge, skills and passion for cheese.
Entrants were asked to provide a short biography and recommendations for their perfect cheeseboard, with Jenkins submitting her entry in September.
The six finalists will go head-to-head over five rounds, including a Perfect Pairing round, the quick-fire Q&A “MasterRind” and the fast-paced cut and wrap round.
The winner will receive a trophy, a BOSKA Professional Cheesemonger Tool Set and a feature in Fine Food Digest, as well as a place on the Academy of Cheese Level Two Member Certification course and an invitation to judge at the World Cheese Awards 2025.
