Tasmanian traditional cheese maker named as the top Australian business

A Tasmanian artisan cheesemaker has been named Australian Business of the Year.

The Bruny Island Cheese Company based off Tasmania's south coast picked up the prize for its food and tourism business.

It is the first Tasmanian company to win the award and comes after the company scooped the pool at the state awards, winning Tasmanian Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Regional Business of the Year.

The Bruny Island Cheese Company employs 13 staff and makes Australia's only unpasteurised cheese product.

Managing Director Nick Haddow spent 10 years studying around Australia and in France, Italy and Spain working with traditional cheese makers.

"I am a traditionalist who recognises that great cheese was made for centuries before modern technology played a role and I believe passionately in the old way of making, maturing and marketing cheese," he said.

The company's Sally Asome says she hopes it encourages other small Tasmanian businesses.

"We would like to think that this is a bit of a win for all artisan businesses so it's not an easy thing to do to achieve and to stay in business when you're an artisan business and you know if we've succeeded, other artisan businesses can also succeed and even rurally based, regionally based businesses as well," she said.

The business focuses on direct marketing through email and social media, and attracts visitors to its Bruny Island operations.

It employs five full-time and eight part-time staff.

Source: ABC News, 23 August 2013