{{Short description|New Zealand cheese expert}} {{Infobox person | name = Juliet Harbutt | image = | caption = | other_names = Master of Cheese <ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018788856/master-of-chesse-juliet-harbutt |title=Master of Cheese Juliet Harbutt |author=afternoon |website=RNZ |date=24 March 2021 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> | birth_date = | website = www.thecheeseweb.com | birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Cheese expert: author, educator, judge, campaigner, consultant, trainer and speaker }}

'''Juliet Harbutt''' is a New Zealand cheese expert.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b6be169a-ec12-11de-8070-00144feab49a |title=Britain is now the big cheese in Europe |author=Peter Marsh |website= ft.com |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> She is an author, judge, consultant, campaigner, speaker, educator and tour guide. She acted as consultant to Prince Charles and Alex James when they were developing their own cheeses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/food-and-drink/establishments/22605105.cheese-making-cotswolds/ |title=Cheese Making: Cotswolds |author=Katie Jarvis |website= greatbritishlife.co.uk |date=16 December 2010 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> In the 1990s she worked with Tesco in devising their cheese classification system.<ref>{{cite book |date=2017 |last=Bell |first=Annie |title=The modern dairy : nourishing recipes using milk, yogurt, cheese and cream : discover the science behind this nutritional powerhouse |publisher=Kyle Books |location=London |page=26 |isbn=978-0857833587}}</ref> In 2000 she created The Great British Cheese Festival.

==Career== In the 1970s Harbutt opened a café deli, ''The Parson’s Nose'' in Wellington, New Zealand. In 1983, while travelling around Europe, she attended cookery classes in Paris,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e85941d8-dc70-11e1-a304-00144feab49a |title=FT Foodies: Juliet Harbutt |author=Natalie Whittle |website= ft.com |date=3 August 2012 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> where she discovered a passion for cheese, saying it was “a revelation to someone who had grown up with block cheddar.”<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13709537.profile-juliet-harbutt---farewell-cheese-lady/ |title=Profile: Juliet Harbutt – Farewell to the cheese lady |author=Helen Peacocke |website= oxfordmail.co.uk |date=10 September 2015 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> She also visited Steven Spurrier’s wine shop Les Caves de la Madeleine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e85941d8-dc70-11e1-a304-00144feab49a |title=FT Foodies: Juliet Harbutt |author=Natalie Whittle |website= ft.com |date=3 August 2012 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

After selling ''The Parson’s Nose'' she moved to England in 1983,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/why-the-cheese-knives-are-out-1949387.html |title=Why the cheese knives are out |author=Tim Walker |website= independent.co.uk |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> where she co-founded ''Jeroboams – the Wine and Cheese Shop'', in South Kensington, which was “largely responsible for introducing London to a whole new cheese concept.” After realising that “selling cheese was not enough” she sold the company to her partner in 1991, moved to the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire, where she ran cheese-related masterclasses and events and began to publish books.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13709537.profile-juliet-harbutt---farewell-cheese-lady/ |title=Profile: Juliet Harbutt – Farewell to the cheese lady |author=Helen Peacocke |website= oxfordmail.co.uk |date=10 September 2015 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

She acted as a cheese consultant for clients that included Tesco, Harrods and Marks & Spencer.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://events.stuff.co.nz/2021/artisan-cheese-master-class/auckland |title=Artisan Cheese Masterclass |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= stuff.co.nz |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/4811530/The-cream-of-cheese.html |title=The Cream of Cheese |author=Tamasin Day Lewis |website= telegraph.co.uk |date=26 December 2000 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> She has judged cheese competitions in Switzerland, France and America.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/small-business/107377494/kiwi-cheesemakers-advised-to-follow-wine-model-to-focus-on-uniqueness |title=Don't make a 2nd-rate camembert, Kiwi cheese-makers told – be unique |author=Katy Jones |website= stuff.co.nz |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> She is a member of the ''Guild des Fromagers - Confrerie de Saint-Uguzon'' and ''Chevaliers de Tastefromage.''<ref>{{cite book |date=1999 |last=Harbutt |first=Juliet |title=Cheese |publisher=Mitchell Beazley |location=London |page=195 |isbn= 1840000805}}</ref> In 1992 she was given the title ''Confrerie des Chevaliers du Taste-Fromage de France''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/66883976/dont-call-your-cheese-brie-says-expert |title=Don't call your cheese Brie |author=Alice Neville |website= stuff.co.nz |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> She has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/daleslife/14638804.andy-swinscoe-of-the-courtyard-dairy-in-settle-heads-to-italy/ |title=Andy Swinscoe of the Courtyard Dairy in Settle heads to Italy |author=Lesley Tate |website= cravenherald.co.uk |date=24 July 2016 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> She has helped many people design and launch their own cheeses, including the then Prince Charles and her Cotswolds neighbour, Alex James.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metropol.co.nz/a-life-championing-cheese/ |title=A life championing cheese |author=Metropol |website= metropol.co.nz |date=28 March 2023 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.foodepedia.co.uk/articles/lords-of-the-manor/ |title=Alex James says 'cheese' in the country |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= foodepedia.co.uk |date=21 November 2008 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

Highlights include: * 1989 – helped establish the UK's ''Specialist Cheesemakers Association'' * 1994 – founded the ''British Cheese Awards'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/british-cheese-awards-the-big-cheeses-and-the-people-judging-them-8182483.html |title=British cheese awards: The big cheeses and the people judging them |author=Tim Walker |website= independent.co.uk |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> including devising a system for classifying cheeses by the type of rind and the fat content.<ref>{{cite book |date=2017 |last=Bell |first=Annie |title=The modern dairy : nourishing recipes using milk, yogurt, cheese and cream : discover the science behind this nutritional powerhouse |publisher=Kyle Books |location=London |page=26 |isbn=978-0857833587}}</ref> She sold the awards to the Royal Bath and West of England Society in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metropol.co.nz/a-life-championing-cheese/ |title=A life championing cheese |author=Metropol |website= metropol.co.nz |date=28 March 2023 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> * 1994 – created the ''New Zealand Cheese Awards''<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/hawkes-bay-based-international-cheese-judge-wants-more-new-zealand-cheeses-on-the-shelves/IHJC2YM5J2POYBWXWL4YSQ5CBQ/ |title=Hawkes Bay-based international cheese judge wants more New Zealand cheese on the shelf |author=RNZ |website= nzherald.co.nz |date=26 October 2019 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> * 1998 – developed Tesco's cheese classification system<ref>{{cite news |date=1994-03-15 |work=Liverpool Echo |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Say Cheese! |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19940315/225/0028|page=28 |location=Liverpool, UK }}</ref> * 1998 – joined the ''Slow Food'' movement,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9020719.slow-food-fans-go-mad-asparagus/ |title=Slow food fans go mad for asparagus |author=Helen Peacocke |website= oxfordmail.co.uk |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |date=2010 |last=Campion |first=Charles |title=Eat up! The Best British Cooking is not dead, it's just hiding |publisher=Kyle Cathie |location=London |page=128 |isbn= 9781856268561}}</ref> setting up the Cotswold Convivium<ref>{{cite news |date=1999-03-14 |work=Scotland on Sunday |author=Fiona Beckett |title=How slow can you go? |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005278/19990314/911/0116|page=116 |location=Edinburgh, UK}}</ref> * 2000 – created ''The Great British Cheese Festival''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metropol.co.nz/a-life-championing-cheese/ |title=A life championing cheese |author=Metropol |website= metropol.co.nz |date=28 March 2023 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

In 2016, after 35 years in England she moved to Hawke's Bay, New Zealand<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/hawkes-bay-based-international-cheese-judge-wants-more-new-zealand-cheeses-on-the-shelves/IHJC2YM5J2POYBWXWL4YSQ5CBQ/ |title=Hawkes-Bay based international cheese judge wants more cheeses on the shelves |author=RNZ |website= nzherald.co.nz |date=26 October 2019 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> where she established ''Hunter Gatherer Tours''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://thisnzlife.co.nz/international-cheese-expert-juliet-harbutt-on-why-she-has-returned-to-new-zealand/ |title=International cheese expert Juliet Harbutt on why she has returned to the Hawke's Bay to set up Hunter Gatherer food tours |author=Anna Tait-Jamieson |website= thisnzlife.co.nz |date=8 October 2020 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

===Cheese making and selecting=== Harbutt made two cheeses with Alex James: ''Little Wallop'' (2007) and ''Farleigh Wallop'' (2009),<ref>{{cite book |date=2009 |last=Jarvis |first=Kate |title=Cotswolds |publisher=Crimson |location=Richmond, UK |page=215 |isbn= 9781854584632}}</ref> the latter won the ''Best Goat’s Cheese'' award at the 2009 British Cheese Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a131716/james-names-cheese-after-new-order-track/ |title=James names cheese after New Order track |author=Simon Reynolds |website= digitalspy.com |date=3 October 2008 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

She created the ''Simply the Best'' range, a selection of award-winning artisanal English cheeses, including Creamy Lancashire, Smoked Lyburn and Double Gloucester.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://cheeselover.ca/index.php/2011/11/24/juliet-harbutt-leads-british-cheese-invasion-at-sobeys/ |title=Juliet Harbutt leads British Cheese invasion at Sobeys |author=Andy Shay |website= cheeselover.ca |date=24 November 2011 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

==Publications== * ''The Specialist Cheesemakers’ Association Guide to the Finest Cheese of Britain and Ireland'' (1999) Pub. Specialist Cheesemakers’ Association * ''Cheese: A Complete Guide to Over 300 Cheeses of Distinction'' (1999) Pub. Mitchell Beazley {{ISBN|978-1840000801}} * ''The Wine and Cheese Collection'' with Roz Denny and Stuart Walton (1999) Pub. Anness Publishing {{ISBN|978-1843092056}} * ''A Cook’s Guide to Cheese'' (2000) with Roz Denny. Pub. Hermes House {{ISBN| 978-0754800262}} * ''Cheese: A Feast of International Dishes'' (2001) with Roz Denny. Pub. Hermes House {{ISBN|9780754809920}} * ''Cheese: A Comprehensive Guide to Cheeses of the World'' (2002) Pub. Anness Publishing {{ISBN|9781844769407}} * ''The World Encyclopaedia of Cheese'' (2002) with Roz Denny. Pub. Anness Publishing {{ISBN|9781843096719}} * ''British Cheese Directory'' (2002) Pub. Juliet Harbutt * ''The Cheese Lover’s Kitchen Handbook'' (2004) with Roz Denny. Pub. Southwater {{ISBN| 9781842159453}} * ''Cheese: A Visual Guide to 400 Cheeses with 150 Recipes: A Directory of the World’s Best'' (2008) with Roz Denny. Pub. Southwater {{ISBN|9781844764815}} * ''Cheeses and How to Use Them'' (2009) with Roz Denny. Pub. Southwater * ''World Cheese Book'' (2009) (translated into 9 languages) Pub. Dorling Kindersley<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.gfw.co.uk/2010/awards-2010-winners/ |title=Award 2010 winners |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= gfw.co.uk |date=18 June 2010 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> {{ISBN|9780241186572}} * ''Leith’s Easy Dinner Parties'' (2009) contributor. Pub. Bloomsbury {{ISBN|9780747521877}} * ''Illustrated Cook’s Guide to Cheese: A Comprehensive Visual Identifier to the Cheeses of the World'' (2010) with Kate Whiteman. Pub. Southwater {{ISBN|9781844769407}} * ''Wine and Cheese: A Complete Guide to the World of Wine and Cheese'' (2010) with Stuart Walton. Pub. Anness Publishing {{ISBN|9780754820161}} * ''The Illustrated Cook’s Book of Ingredients'' (2010) contributor. Pub. DK Publishing {{ISBN|9781405353182}}

She has written for magazines, including Bon Appétit (USA), Cheese Buyer Magazine,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 2015 |author=Juliet Harbutt |title=Juliet Harbutt's Best British Blues |magazine=Speciality Food |location=Colchester, UK |publisher=Artichoke Media |page=47}}</ref> Speciality Food,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 2015 |author=Juliet Harbutt |title=Small bites |magazine=NZ House and Garden |location=Christchurch, NZ |publisher=Fairfax Magazines |page=133}}</ref> Dish.co.nz,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://dish.co.nz/news-reviews/food-news/stories-cheese-case-blues/ |title=Stories of Cheese: A Case of the blues |author=Juliet Harbutt |website= dish.co.nz |date=20 November 2017 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> and NZ House and Garden.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 2015 |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Small bites |magazine=NZ House and Garden |location=Christchurch, NZ |publisher=Fairfax Magazines |page=133}}</ref>

==TV and radio== Harbutt has made regular radio appearances. She has also appeared on BBC 1's ''Eat Your Words'' (1996),<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.pebblemill.org/blog/eat-your-words-photos-by-lynda-kettle/ |title=Eat your words |author=Lynda Kettle |website= pebblemill.org |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> ''Ready Steady Cook'', ''Saturday Kitchen'', ''The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain'' (2009), ''Come Dine with Me'' (winner) (2009)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ruralnewsgroup.co.nz/dairy-news/dairy-general-news/kiwis-helping-rebuild-sri-lankan-dairy-industry |title=Kiwis help rebuild Sri Lankan dairy industry |author=Sudehs Kissun |website= ruralnewsgroup.co.nz |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |date=2009 |last=Sayer |first=David |title=Come dine with me: How to throw the perfect dinner party |publisher=Channel 4 |location=London |page=80 |isbn= 978-1905026623}}</ref> and BBC 4's ''The Food Programme - A Life Through Food'' (2015).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06rwgcx |title=The Food Programme |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= bbc.co.uk |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

==Awards== * 2006 ''Dairy Person of The Year''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13709537.profile-juliet-harbutt---farewell-cheese-lady/ |title=Profile: Juliet Harbutt – Farewell to the cheese lady |author=Helen Peacocke |website= oxfordmail.co.uk |date=10 September 2015 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> * 2008 ''Good Housekeeping’s Favourite Food Hero''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13709537.profile-juliet-harbutt---farewell-cheese-lady/ |title=Profile: Juliet Harbutt – Farewell to the cheese lady |author=Helen Peacocke |website= oxfordmail.co.uk |date=10 September 2015 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> * 2008 ''Cotswold Life Food Personality of the Year''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13709537.profile-juliet-harbutt---farewell-cheese-lady/ |title=Profile: Juliet Harbutt – Farewell to the cheese lady |author=Helen Peacocke |website= oxfordmail.co.uk |date=10 September 2015 |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> * 2010 ''Food Book of the Year for the World Food Book''<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/2009/10/map_of_the_week_cheese.html |title=Map of the week: Cheese |author=Mark Easton |website= bbc.co.uk |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> * 2010 ''Guild of Food Writers Award'' for The World Cheese Book<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.everand.com/podcast/417637583/Juliet-Harbutt-A-Life-Through-Food-Cheese-educator-and-campaigner-Juliet-Harbutt-shares-her-life-in-food-with-Sheila-Dillon |title=Juliet Harbutt: A life through Food |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= bbc.co.uk |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref> * 2010 ''New Zealander of the Year (UK)'' (finalist) <ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nznewsuk.co.uk/news/?id=6732&story=FINALISTS-FOR-THE-2010-NEW-ZEALANDER-OF-THE-YEAR--UK--ANNOUNCED |title=Finalists for the 2010 New Zealanders of the Year (UK) announced |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= nznewsuk.co.uk |access-date=2023-12-09}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Biography}} ''Eat Up! The Best British Cooking Is Not Dead, It’s Just Hiding'' (2010) Pub. Kyle Cathie

==External links== *[http://www.britishcheeseawards.com British Cheese Awards] *[https://www.specialistcheesemakers.co.uk Specialist Cheese Makers UK]

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harbutt, Juliet}} Category:Cheesemakers Category:Living people Category:21st-century New Zealand women writers Category:New Zealand women non-fiction writers Category:New Zealand women food writers Category:New Zealand food writers Category:Cheese festivals Category:Year of birth missing (living people)