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Established · 12 signalscheesemaker

Mt Eliza

Chris and Jill Whalley founded Mount Eliza Cheese in 2007. Mount Eliza Cheese, from Katikati, Bay of Plenty, are pioneers in NZ raw milk cheesemaking · Gold medal for Red Leicester (European style category), Cuisine NZ Champions of Cheese Awards (2010) · Silver medal for Cheshire, Cuisine NZ Champions of Cheese Awards (2010)

“We just love Mt Eliza Cheese, particularly their Blue Monkey.” · “It is one of the best blues I have had.” · “We love to use it in dishes on our menu, as well as a …”

Craft ObsessionOperator PassionAuthentic SourcingOriginal SourcePersonal ConnectionTradition PreservedMoment of CareStory RichFringe CultureArtisan QualityEmerging momentumCommunity traction

Their Story

Chris and Jill Whalley founded Mount Eliza Cheese in 2007. Originally from the UK, Chris, an industrial chemist, and Jill, an occupational therapist and a New Zealander from Matamata, decided to relocate to Jill's home in the Bay of Plenty. The inspiration for cheesemaking struck during a visit to…

What They Make

  • Red Leicester (flagship, raw milk, cloth-bandaged, aged from 4 months)
  • Farmhouse Cheddar (traditional truckle, raw milk, complex flavor)
  • Eliza Blue Raw (Stilton-style, raw milk, complex, rich, buttery, cloth-bandaged)
  • Blue Monkey (Chris Whalley's original recipe, rich, buttery, intense blue flavors, cloth-bandaged, matured at least 6 weeks)
  • Previously made: Cheshire
  • Previously made: Double Gloucester
  • Cheese Boxes: Pantry Staples Big Box
  • Cheese Boxes: The Big Blue
  • Cheese Boxes: The Purist
  • Cheese Boxes: The Big Fat Red
  • Cheese Boxes: HACCP - Have A Cheddar Cheese Party

Awards & Recognition

  • Cuisine NZ Champions of Cheese Awards — Gold medal for Red Leicester (European style category)(2010)
  • Cuisine NZ Champions of Cheese Awards — Silver medal for Cheshire(2010)
  • Cuisine NZ Champions of Cheese Awards — Silver medal for Farmhouse Cheddar(2010)
  • NZ Farmers Market Awards — Top prize for 'creamiest producer from the dairy'(2014)
  • NZ Farmers Market Awards — Top prize for 'creamiest producer from the dairy'(2015)
  • NZ Champions of Cheese Awards — Gold medal for Blue Monkey(2015)
  • NZ Champions of Cheese Awards — Silver medal for Red Leicester(2015)
  • NZ Champions of Cheese Awards — IFF Farmhouse Cheese award for Farmhouse Cheddar(2024)

How to Get Their Products

Farmers' Markets

Tauranga Farmers' Market

Bay of Plenty

Direct Sales

357 Thompsons Track, Aongatete 3178, New Zealand

Online

Nationwide shipping (orders by Monday for Wednesday dispatch), available at approximately 20 delicatessens and various restaurants/hotels nationwide, and previously at Tauranga, Katikati, and Tamah farmers markets.

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