Ewe beauty: Robertson cheese is up for the Annual President's Medal

Pecora Dairy's Yarrawa cheese could be bestowed with the annual President's Medal, which would be the fifth award given to the product.

The country's first raw milk cheese was one of six producers nominated from over 4000 entries, that competed in last year's Sydney Royal fine food, wine and dairy competitions.

Dairy owners Cressida and Michael Cains said it was "recognition for the business".

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"It's really a nod to 10 years of hard work we put into the business," Mr Cains said.

The cheese, which is made from raw ewe's milk, won three trophies and was crowned the Champion Cheese of Show at the 2021 Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show.

"We've worked very hard on the Yarrawa, it has taken us a very long time to create that, it's a new category of cheese," Ms Cains said.

The medal highlights the production, commercial success, environmental and social impacts of producers nationwide.

Sydney Royal President's Medal chair Lachlan Bowtell said the award celebrated business' innovations and contributions to the wider community and their industry.

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"The President's Medal is a true testament to great Australian quality," he said.

"This year's finalists have gone beyond creating an outstanding quality product; they are at the forefront of agricultural innovation and are instrumental in driving the Australian produce industry to new heights."

The Robertson couple were honoured that the award championed a producer's impact across different areas, particularly the community.

"The producers are such incredible producers of the food industry," Ms Cain said.

Mr Cain said it was a win for the region and its producers, and noted Gumnut Patisserie's victory last year.

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The dairy's cheeses have also been recognised in Delicious Magazine's delicious. Produce Awards in 2019, where they took out the From the Dairy Category.

Pecora Dairy is up against Sunshine Meats in Milperra, South Australia's Rio Vista Olives, Stockyard Beef in Brisbane, Tathra Oysters on the South Coast and Shottesbrooke Vineyards in Adelaide.

Judges Ed Halmagyi and Michel Bullen will visit each producer on location to determine this year's winner.

The 15^th medal winner receive a $10,000 cash prize and the honour at a dinner on April 13.

Mr Cain will also present a cheese masterclass with a local winemaker at the Olsson's Salt Sessions at the Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival at the end of the month.

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