From art teacher to award winning food producer: Helen Dorrestyn

Helen Dorrestyn, an art teacher, and her husband Richard, an industrial electrician, are the team behind the Clevedon Farmers Market, winner of the 2018 Coast People's Choice Outstanding Farmers' Market Award at the NZ Outstanding Food Producers Awards.

But the winning hasn't ended there!

After turning their hand to buffalo farming and cheesemaking, the Dorrestyns were named the Supreme Champion of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2018. Their Clevedon Marinated Buffalo Cheese also won the Dairy section of the awards. Judges praised the fresh cheese’s uniqueness, well-balanced flavours and outstanding texture. Another summed it up in just three letters: “OMG”.

Clevedon Buffalo Co was also awarded the Champion of Champions Cheese Award – Artisan category, at the 2018 NZ Champion of Cheese Awards for their Clevedon Buffalo Ricotta (actually they won four awards including one of the two supreme awards).

Helen joined Lorna to chat about the company's success - and about its humble beginnings.