Jonathan Bloomfield

Ambassador

Based in The New Forest, Hampshire Jonathan has trained as a Cheese specialist with over 15 years’ experience in selling cheese as well as being certified as a butter grader. He has a fun persona and always exudes an enthusiasm with a dedication to furthering the cheese industry as well as himself. In 2013 his cheese life took an unexpected turn when he had the pleasure of meeting Genevieve Cain (then Editor of Allrecipes UK) and with her help the Cheesy1 blog & brand was born. It has now received over 28,000 visitors as well as being viewed in over 100 countries and featured in the ‘top 50 cheese blogs of 2017,18,19 & 20’. A big part of the Cheesy1 is about building relationships with cheesemakers & purveyors by telling their stories as well as understanding their methods for making and/or selling cheese. He has visited various cheesemakers including Quickes, Cropwell Bishop and Lyburn to ensure he understands all processes of making cheese to enhance his Judging. Jonathan has provided cheese pairings, articles, or information for various sources including Wayfair.com, Willie’s Cacao, Biogere CARDOP project Portugal, Allrecipes UK and Butlers Farmhouse Cheese. 

He attended a Discover the Origins masterclass where he had the pleasure of starting a friendship with Juliet Harbutt that led to an invitation to judge at the British Cheese Awards. He was recommended to Judge at the International Cheese Awards where over five years later he is still professionally judging at the British Cheese Awards & the International Cheese & Dairy Awards.

Jonathan reached out to Bruce Macdonald – the former Chairman of the International Cheese Awards and member of the Guildes Des Fromagers – who at the time was setting up the Guild of Cheese Graders. As a former member of the Guild, it has been a vital part of his understanding of his palate, cheese, judging and grading.

Since then, Jonathan has been providing cheese talks around the United Kingdom for Rotary Clubs, WI groups, village festivals and more. He has hosted alongside leading Sommeliers from prestigious hotels and a Michelin Star Restaurant. His most recent was with Helen McGinn the wine expert from BBC Saturday Kitchen. The feedback for over 30+ events has been overwhelmingly positive so with this in mind he launched Cheesy1.uk a website to provide a cohesive identity to all facets of the Cheesy1 brand. The Cheesy1 aim has always been to share passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for cheese with all.

In the last year, the Cheesy1 has created a vibrant & locally supported cheese counter located in Harveys Of Hythe supporting British & local cheeses as well as local accompaniments. With his most recent appointment of International Cheese & Dairy Awards UK Ambassador he is more determined than ever to ensure the message of the awards is heard and to provide a vibrant cheese event for all to experience.