Ticklemore Cheese has won one of the British artisan cheese industry's most prestigious awards after its Devon Blue was named the recipient of the 2026 Specialist Cheesemakers Association Patron's Award.

The award was presented at the Specialist Cheesemakers Association's annual Farm Visit, held this year at Quicke's Cheese in Newton St Cyres.

The Patron's Award is one of the association's highest honours, recognising exceptional craftsmanship, quality and commitment to traditional cheesemaking.

The winning cheese was nominated by a fellow Specialist Cheesemakers Association (SCA) member before being blind judged by an expert committee.

The award is donated by the Association's patron, His Majesty King Charles III, but was presented to Ticklemore Cheese owners Ben and Laura Harris by SCA Chair Jonny Crickmore.

Since taking over the business in 2023, the couple have built on Ticklemore's reputation for producing handcrafted blue cheeses while investing in the future of traditional Devon cheesemaking.

Ben Harris, Director and Head Cheesemaker, said: "To receive this award from the Specialist Cheesemakers Association is an incredible honour because it comes from fellow artisan cheesemakers who understand the skill, dedication and care that go into making great cheese.

“Every member of our team takes enormous pride in what we produce, and this recognition belongs to all of them."

Laura Harris, Director of Ticklemore Cheese Ltd, added: "We're incredibly grateful to everyone who supports us – our customers, retailers, distributors and the wider artisan cheese community. Independent cheesemaking depends on those relationships, and we're proud to fly the flag for Devon and British artisan cheese."

The Patron's Award recognises the quality of Ticklemore's award-winning Devon Blue, a rich and creamy cow's milk blue cheese.

Alongside Devon Blue, Ticklemore Cheese Ltd produces Beenleigh Blue, made from sheep's milk, and Harbourne Blue, made from goat's milk.

All are handcrafted in Devon using traditional methods that celebrate the county's dairy heritage while maintaining high standards of quality, sustainability and animal welfare.