On June 27th-29th, the International Cheese & Dairy Awards took place at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showground, in England. The event attracted over 5,000 participants, judged by independent experts, retailers, and service and catering companies worldwide. Italian dairy producer Igor secured the Gold Medal for its “Gorgonzola Gran Riserva Leonardi,” marking a significant international triumph for the Cameri-based company from Novara, Piedmont, under the stewardship of the Leonardi family.
The Gran Riserva Leonardi is a premium Gorgonzola PDO known for its sweet flavor. It is crafted in the artisanal dairies of the Igor group, where master cheesemakers transform fresh Italian milk daily from selected farms in the upper province of Novara. The region’s stable grass forage ensures superior milk quality. All these farms are certified for “Animal Welfare in Farming” in line with ClassyFarm standards.
Igor’s “Gran Riserva Leonardi” Gorgonzola earned the top accolade in the “Best Italian Cheese – Gorgonzola Dolce” category, reaffirming its status as a paragon of excellence in the global dairy industry.
Fabio Leonardi, CEO of Igor Gorgonzola, remarked, “It is an honor to receive this significant recognition, which highlights the love, passion, and unwavering commitment to quality that we bring to our daily work. We dedicate this award to our loyal supporters and the entire Igor team, whose dedication and hard work make such extraordinary achievements possible. This award underscores the quality and distinctive, nuanced flavor of our Gran Riserva Leonardi sweet Gorgonzola, produced in Igor’s artisanal dairies by our skilled cheesemakers using fresh milk from select farms, all certified for animal welfare in farming.”