Originally from Germany, Maja Binder makes artisan cheeses of real character, and her husband, Olivier ‘On The Wild Side’ Beaujouan, collects seaweeds and makes numerous products from them, which are on sale at local markets.
Using summer milk only from cows grazing the natural grasses and herbs on the south-west tip of the Dingle Peninsula, Maja makes several cheeses; her own favourite, and the one that has brought her numerous awards, is Dilliskus Cheese, made with seaweed.
With a lovely handmade appearance, Dilliskus has great texture and a distinctive aroma and flavour; its many accolades include the ‘Eugene Byrne Memorial Best in Ireland’ at the British Cheese Awards, and also an award from the Irish Food Writers’ Guild, who praised “a cheese that follows the ancient Irish tradition of flavouring foods with seaweed” and it was also the Supreme Champion in the inaugural Blas na hEireann National Irish Food Awards, in 2008.
In 2011 Maja opened The Little Cheese Shop on Grey's Lane in Dingle town; this gorgeous little speciality store stocks a wide range of cheeses and everything to do with them, along with wines - and, of course, all of Olivier's wonderful meat and seafood products.
