The goal of the event is to draw attention of the Hungarian public to the traditional and centuries old European cheese production, to show and make the Hungarian audience acquainted with the highest quality national cheese types, which different countries call the cheese of the nation.

The cheese varieties have been chosen in cooperation with the local embassies of the 15 European nations taking part in the contest using the knowledge and expertise of the embassies, related organisations and the organisers SZEGA Foods.

The following countries and cheese types are going to compete in the contest:

1. Belgium Chimay 6 months matured hard cheese produced from whole milk
2. Cyprus Halloumi fresh, semi-hard cheese produced from cow and sheep milk
3. United Kingdom Cathedral City Matured Cheddar 20 months old hard cheese
4. France La Valencay unpasteurised soft goat cheese with flavoured rind
5. Greece Graviera 3 months unpasteurised hard cheese
6. The Netherlands Old Amsterdam 24 months matured hard cheese
7. Croatia Pagi hard cheese made of sheep milk
8. Ireland Kerrygold Matured Cheddar 12 months old hard cheese
9. Poland Lazur blue veined matured cheese
10. Litvania Dziugas 24 months old traditional hard cheese
11. Hungary Lajta artisanal unpasteurised semi-soft cheese
12. Italy Burrata artisanal fresh cheese
13. Portugal Serra da estrela 4 months matured cheese with natural rind
14. Spain Manchego 12 months matured hard cheese from sheep milk
15. Slovakia Paranyica traditional sheep milk smoked cheese

The public can taste the 'cheese masterpieces' in the main store of SZEGA Foods in Budagyöngye shopping mall between 4 and 10 September, and at the designated pavilion of the cheese contest at the Winefestival in the Buda Castle starting on 11th September.

The public can vote for their favourite cheese on the www.nemzeteksajtversenye.hu website. Thanks to the generous offers of the supporters, precious prizes will be raffled among registered voters at the end of the event.

Beside the public vote professional recognition will also be given out by the organisers among the contested cheese types.

Source: nemzeteksajtversenye.hu