Distance learning students on the Foundation Degree and BSc Food Manufacture spent their study week at Holbeach developing a new flavour of cheese.

Working in two teams, the students – who all work full-time in the food industry and study part-time towards their degree – carried out kitchen and production trials in the National Centre for Food Manufacturing at Holbeach to develop a “Lincolnshire Imp” cheese for their project.

The cheeses were based on a Caerphilly recipe. One group developed a chocolate and chill flavour using full fat pasteurised milk, and a chutney and apple layered cheese with semi-skimmed milk. Another group developed a plum bread cheese and a cauliflower and broccoli cheese.

The team had expertise on hand in the form of Mr and Mrs Davenport at Cote Hill Farm in Market Rasen, who hosted a tour of its dairy farm and cheese processing facilities. Milk was provided by Nene Valley, Meadow Foods. Starter cultures for the cheeses were donated by Orchard Valley Dairy Supplies.

The students, most of who are in their 2nd year, and will graduate either this September, or in 2013, all enjoyed the task. Tim Hogbin, who is a Source Application Technologist at Mars Food studying the Process and Business Improvement route of the foundation degree, said, “Gaining an overview of the whole process of developing a new product has been really useful, particularly learning about sensory analysis”.

Tina Betts, Quality Assurance Supervisor at Bakkavor Laurens, said, “Getting to meet our lecturers this week has been brilliant, they’re really supportive.” Tina is already acting up as an assistant manager now she is studying the Foundation Degree.

Sharron Ray, a Finance Manager in the food industry, hopes to progress onto the BSc once she has finished her foundation degree. She said, “Distance learning is the only way when you’re short on time”.

The National Centre for Food Manufacture is currently developing further cheese recipes, in readiness for the University of Lincoln’s stand at this year’s Lincolnshire Show on 20th and 21st June. Cheese tasters there can expect mischievous flavours, in line with the Lincolnshire Imp theme.