Casar de Cáceres, June 29. – The Regulatory Council of the Torta del Casar Protected Designation of Origin has expressed its "pride" and "thankfulness" for the awards received at the Espiga Awards that Caja Rural de Extremadura grants to cheeses under the Protected Designation of Origin of Extremadura. This is the fifth edition aimed at rewarding these products.

The president of the D.O.P Torta del Casar, Ángel Pacheco, has highlighted that "in these five years a contest has been consolidated that began in a somewhat hesitant way, but which, thanks to the cheese factories of the three participating denominations of origin, and the efforts of the Caja Rural de Extremadura team have come out ahead”. "I think it is important to highlight that, in addition to the recognitions received by the D.O.P cheese factories that I preside over, the Espiga awards are important for the entire sector, since they value the production of cheeses recognized by the quality figures of the European Union, so important to stand out in a very competitive global market”, concluded Pacheco.

In the Torta del Casar category, the cheese factory 'Iberqués Extremadura' has received the Golden Spike, 'Quesería El Castúo' has been awarded the Silver Spike and 'Quesos del Casar' with the Bronze Spike.

For their part, the award-winning cheese makers have highlighted that this recognition represents "an important boost to the marketing" of their products. The manager of Iberqués Extremadura, Aquilino Pereira, has expressed that "it is an honor to receive this new recognition" for his Torta del Casar ´Gran tajo Selección´. “I am proud of the recognition of good work, continuity, and the effort in terms of quality and traceability that the cheese team makes daily. This is going to give us an extra push to gain strength for the latter part of the year”, Pereira highlighted.

The winners were announced this Wednesday at a gala held at Finca El Toril, which was attended by the president of the Badajoz Provincial Council, Miguel Ángel Gallardo, the general director of Agriculture and Livestock of the Junta de Extremadura, Antonio Cabezas; the president of the Association of Regulatory Councils of Extremadura (ACREX), Ángel Pacheco; the president of Caja Rural de Extremadura, Urbano Caballo; the general director of the Fund, Juan Palacios; and the representatives of the DOP, among other authorities.

Special 25th anniversary gala to promote D.O.P

In addition, during the awards ceremony, the president of Caja Rural Extremadura, Urbano Caballo, announced that they will hold a special gala on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Espiga Awards on September 22. The objective is to promote products from Extremadura with designation of origin abroad. The event will have the chef three Michelin stars Toño Pérez, from the Atrio Restaurant, as ambassador and will count with the participation of the 16 denominations of origin and protected geographical indications of the region, chefs who have obtained Espiga Awards and national gastronomy specialists.

The president of the D.O.P Ángel Pacheco believes that "this act will reinforce the good image that Extremadura offers to the world through its most significant products, those certified in origin and quality by the D.O.P and IGP seals. And of course, the Torta del Casar will play an important role, to be one of the most recognized brands outside the region, recognition earned after many years of work by the milk and cheese producing sectors, as well as by the Council Regulator in quality control and promotion”.

Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin (D.O.P.) Torta del Casar

D.O.P. Torta del Casar are made only in cheese factories registered with the Regulating Council, which works every day to guarantee its origin and quality, controlling the purity of the production process for the full safety and confidence of consumers.

The Protected Designation of Origin protects this cheese of ancient tradition and unique and differentiating qualities. Therefore, when you want to enjoy an authentic D.O.P. Torta del Casar, you have to look for its exclusive control label in which the logo of the Regulatory Council is attached to that of the European Union, the only guarantee that the choice made and international recognition.

Europa Press Communication: 91 359 26 00

Icíar Díaz iciardiaz@europapress.es

Susana Sedano susanasedano@europapress.es

Virginia Garcia virginiagarcia@europapress.es

D.O.P. Regulatory Council Torta del Casar: 927 290 713

Javier Muñoz direccion@tortadelcasar.eu www.tortadelcasar.eu

And follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tortadelcasar Twitter: @tortacasar Instagram: @tortadelcasar and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/torta-del-casar