PRESS RELEASE FROM CLAWSON FARMS

September 2026

From Farm to Fork: Clawson Farms Inspires Tomorrow's Chefs with Iconic Blue Stilton

This summer, Capital City College Westminster’s catering students and lecturers were welcomed to Clawson Farms Leicestershire based dairy and member farm - Bridge Farm - for the final stage of Clawson’s student educational programme.  The visit followed an interactive session held at the college, where students explored the history, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status of Stilton®, production methods and distinctive flavour profile of Blue Stilton.  The students were then challenged to participate in a 'Stilton Cook-Off', with an invitation to put their new knowledge and creativity to the test and showcase Stilton in exciting, contemporary recipes that included cocktails!

Clawson Farms' educational programme is part of a wider commitment to encourage greater use of Blue Stilton across foodservice by giving the next generation of chefs the knowledge and confidence to use it in inventive and innovative ways.  As part of this ongoing initiative, Clawson Farms has already delivered the programme to five catering colleges, with nine more lined up for the next academic year.  The programme is designed to build awareness of Blue Stilton, helping future chefs better understand its unique heritage and versatility, while showcasing how this iconic British cheese can earn a place on today's menus in everything from classic dishes to modern street food.

In an immersive behind-the-scenes experience, the cheesemaker’s craftsmanship was shared, as well as the farming expertise that makes Blue Stilton one of Britain's most celebrated cheeses.  The day included a dairy tour to witness first-hand how Blue Stilton is crafted, learning about every stage of production from milk delivery through to maturation, followed by a lunch showcasing the versatility of Clawson Farms' award-winning cheeses across a variety of dishes and even a chance to try their hand at grading Stilton cheese wheels.

At Bridge Farm, one of the 31 family farms that make up the Clawson Farms co-operative, the students learnt about dairy herd management and animal welfare, observed the milking process and gained an appreciation of the close relationship between sustainable British dairy farming and premium cheesemaking.

By bringing young chefs face-to-face with both cheesemakers and farmers, Clawson Farms hopes to deepen their understanding of provenance while encouraging them to champion British heritage ingredients in fresh and imaginative ways throughout their careers.

Bill Mathieson, Managing Director, Clawson Farms says, "Blue Stilton has an incredible story to tell, yet it's still too often confined to the cheeseboard. Through our college programme, we've been challenging that perception by showing students just how versatile it can be across contemporary menus. From savoury dishes to sweet applications, even cocktails and chocolates, we're encouraging the chefs of tomorrow to think differently about this iconic British cheese.

“The visit to our dairy and one of our member farms brings the entire story to life. Understanding where the milk comes from, meeting the farmers and seeing the care and craftsmanship involved in every stage of production gives students a real appreciation of the provenance behind our Blue Stilton. We hope they leave inspired, not only to use the cheese more creatively, but also to support great British ingredients, wherever their careers take them."

To learn more about Clawson Farms and its range of products for foodservice call 01664 822332, go to www.clawson.co.uk or email enquiries@clawson.co.uk

~ ENDS ~

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Clawson Farms is one of only four dairies in the world permitted to make Stilton® and one of the oldest farmers’ cooperatives in the UK.  It’s 100% British owned and relies solely on local milk from 31 local farms in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

As well as its long heritage and expertise, the company’s continued investment in the business in technology to support the traditional hand-crafted methods which the licence dictates must be used means Clawson Farms is now the leader in its field.

Clawson Farms’ distinguished Blue Stilton– ready at around 12 weeks old – is crumbly and creamy with a bold, distinctive, tangy flavour, it has been a repeat winner at numerous notable cheese awards over the years, including winning Supreme Champion at the acclaimed International Cheese & Dairy Awards.