Australia’s Best Cheese & Dairy Takes the Spotlight at Sydney Showground

Posted on 09 FEBRUARY 2026

Hundreds of world class cheese & dairy products will begin to battle it out for top honours as judging gets underway for the 2026 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show today.

Over four exciting days at Sydney Showground, expert judges from around the country will put their knowledge and skills to work as they assess the best Australia has to offer in cheese, milk, yoghurt, ice cream and many other dairy products.

Entries will be spread across 94 classes, where they will be judged presentation, aroma, flavour, texture, and body, with each receiving a score out of 20. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to entries that meet the respective benchmark scores, with gold medal winners going on to compete for one of sixteen champion trophies.

While the Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show has been running since 1994 in its current form, dairy produce has been judged by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW since 1858 in the form of butter and cheese classes. The industry has experienced enormous growth since then and today’s competition now boasts a range of non-traditional and inventive classes including sheep, goat, buffalo, and camel milk products.

Media are invited to attend the judging, speak with the judges, and get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s most prestigious dairy competitions.  

Judging takes place from Monday 9 February, to Thursday 12 February, beginning at 9am daily.

Please contact us for a specific daily schedule. 

Location:
The Dome, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.

Available for interview:                           

  • Cheese & Dairy Chair of Judges – Tiffany Beer
  • Dairy Produce Committee Chair – Heidi Badgery
  • Additional judges available for interview throughout the day

If you would like to attend judging please rsvp to:

Nicola Dalby: ndalby@rasnsw.com.au  M: 0434 579 906

Samantha Cannings: scannings@rasnsw.com.au  M: 0411 864 836

Due to sensory judging, media are asked to avoid strong scents such as perfumes, colognes and cigarette smoke prior to attending.

The 2026 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show results will be announced at an awards night held on Thursday 19th February, at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.