Eikestad

DAIRY giant Parmalat was the top achiever with four Qualité Awards and 13 championship trophies at the SA Dairy Championships announced at the Danisco Qualité Gala Dinner.

The dinner was held in the Stellenbosch Town Hall on 23 April.

Qualité Awards also went to Fairview (3); Lancewood and Panciera Confectioners (2 each); and Rhodes Foods, Dalewood Fromage, Clover and Klein River Cheese (1 each). Fairview Estate?s Chevin with Garlic & Herb (70% Saanen goat?s milk and 30% Jersey milk) is this year?s SA Dairy Product of the Year.

Close to 700 dairy products from almost 70 manufacturers competed for top honours in the 2008 SA Dairy Championships presented by Agri-Expo.

Altogether 75 products were capped? as SA Champions, and 15 re?ceived the much coveted Qualité Award for excellence.

Simonsberg, local subsidiary of Parmalat SA, gave an excellent account of its craftmanship by raking in no fewer than 12 awards.

These included one Qualité Award for its SA Parmalat Simonsberg Matured Gouda.

Rudi Albertse (Simonsberg plant manager) said they were over the moon about their successes.

"If one takes into account the vast number of experienced participants and the strong competi?tion, we are greatly honoured to have? done so well.

"These awards again underline the superb quality of our products, but it is also impartial testimony to the hard work and commitment of everyone at Simonsberg," he said.