Champion Cheddar Cheese Stolen from English Agricultural Show
The Theft
On Saturday night at the Yeovil Show in Somerset, England, thieves made off with 88 pounds of prize-winning cheddar cheese from the cheese pavilion. The stolen cheeses were the champion Farmhouse Vintage and reserve champion Vintage cheddars, both produced by Somerset-based Wyke Farms.
The Cheese
The stolen cheddars were not ordinary cheeses. They were considered masterpieces, having taken around a year-and-a-half to produce. Wyke Farms managing director Rich Clothier described them as “among the best we have ever produced,” comparable to a valuable painting or a fine bottle of wine.
The Reward
Wyke Farms is offering a reward of roughly $580 (£500) for the return of the cheeses. However, the cheeses’ value far exceeds the reward amount. With their certificates, they could be worth thousands of pounds.
Other Cheese Thefts
Unfortunately, the cheddar cheese theft at the Yeovil Show was not an isolated incident. Another cheese theft occurred at the show on Sunday, though the cloth-bound cheddar was anonymously returned by Tuesday.
Investigation
Police are reviewing CCTV footage and investigating the theft. They are hoping to identify the perpetrators and recover the stolen cheeses.
Tips Received
Since announcing the reward, Clothier has received several tips. Some people have even contacted him to say they’ve noticed their friends with extra-large cheese sandwiches lately.
Historical Cheese Crime
Cheese theft is not a new phenomenon. In 2016, Wisconsin experienced three separate cheese thefts, including 20,000 pounds of cheese stolen from Oak Creek in June, a 20,000-pound load of assorted cheeses taken from Germantown in January, and a 41,000-pound heist of parmesan from Marshfield that same month. The perpetrators of these crimes remain at large.
Impact on the Show
The cheese theft has cast a shadow over the Yeovil Show. Event director Sam Mackenzie-Green expressed his disappointment and vowed to improve security next year by moving the cheeses to a secure unit overnight.
Clothier’s Hopes
Clothier hopes that the stolen cheeses will be returned safely. He emphasized that freezing the large amount of cheese could ruin its taste.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the cheddar cheese theft is ongoing. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
