Paxton & Whitfield wins Cheese Counter of the Year

The annual award, open to UK cheese shops, is part of the World Cheese Awards, which take place each year.
The award, sponsored by Le Gruyère AOP, was given to the Paxton & Whitfield store because judges said it combines traditional and innovative elements to create an immersive cheese-buying experience for its customers.
The judges said the shop is in a constant state of evolution with new products, new training ideas and new ways of displaying cheese.
They noted that, rather than a traditional counter, the whole shop is chilled by an air conditioning system, so cheese can be displayed in the open.
International Cheese Festival
A spokesperson for the awards told this website that as this year's World Cheese Awards will be taking place in San Sebastián, Spain, during the International Cheese Festival, the organizers felt it would be more appropriate to present the award in the UK at the Great Taste Golden Forks awards dinner, held September 5 in London.
The inaugural cheese festival takes place November 16-18, during San Sebastián’s tenure as European Capital of Culture. The 29th annual World Cheese Awards will be held on November 16.
Cheeses from more than 30 different countries are expected to line up in front of judges from every corner of the globe, including international buyers, retailers, writers and cheesemakers.