A record number of exhibitors and exhibits for the 2010 Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards guaranteed stiff competition for Bega Cheese in this year's high profile food and dairy show.

This year's exhibits were presented from both Bega Cheese's cheddar factory in Bega, traditionally the award winning power house for the organisation, and also from the recently acquired factory in Coburg, Melbourne. As expected the flagship cheddar from New South Wales claimed a brace of awards, a performance matched equally by the new facility in Coburg, which included one of only 3 Gold medals awarded in the cheddar cheese category, for Coburg's newly developed matured cheddar cheese. This, coupled with 5 other awards including the recently commissioned mozzarella product, made for a very successful start to the show season.

Commenting on the successful result for both sites, Executive Chairman Barry Irvin said "We are delighted to receive such recognition for our business, it is testament not only to the strong dairying pedigree that we have in the Bega Valley but also to the fact that we as a business are able to apply our skills and cheese making know-how to newly acquired businesses and continue to expand our capabilities and reputation within the industry".

September 28, 2010 For further information please contact: John Hicks General Manager Manufacturing and Business Development Bega Cheese 02 6491 7777