Mayor Marco Aurelio Pérez and the Canary Islands Minister of Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero, visit the cheese factory of the livestock farming couple José Ortega and Paqui Pérez, awarded the 'Best Cheese of the Canary Islands 2026'
La Gloria Cheese Factory: Tradition and excellence in San Bartolomé de Tirajana
La Gloria Cheese Factory , located in the highlands of San Agustín within the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana , is a leading name in the artisanal production of Canarian cheeses . Last Thursday, Mayor Marco Aurelio Pérez Sánchez and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty of the Canary Islands Government, Narvay Quintero Castañeda, visited the facilities along with Councilor Araceli Armas Cruz to recognize the work carried out by this traditional cheese factory.
Awards for the Best Cheese in the Canary Islands 2026
The visit took place after the cheese factory received the award for Best Cheese of the Canary Islands 2026 , presented in mid-July to José Miguel Ortega Suárez and Francisca Olga Pérez Navarro , the owners . This award recognizes their semi-cured goat's cheese made with raw milk and coated with gofio, a specialty that highlights the quality and authenticity of the local product.
National and international awards for Quesería La Gloria
This isn't the first time La Gloria Cheese Factory has received prestigious awards. In 2021, during the official Agrocanarias competition organized by the Canary Islands Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA), José Miguel Ortega and Paqui Pérez were also awarded Best Cheese of the Canary Islands for their cheese spread with extra virgin olive oil.
International accolades have also been plentiful. At the prestigious 2021 World Cheese Awards, they won gold and bronze medals for their 'Añejo de cabra' (aged goat cheese) and 'Curado de cabra untado con pimentón' (cured goat cheese coated with paprika). Furthermore, in 2017 they achieved the super gold medal for their 'La Gloria curado de cabra', thus solidifying their global reputation.
Local awards and recognitions
The consistency and quality of Quesería La Gloria have also been recognized at island competitions. In 2022, they won the silver medal at the 23rd Island Cheese Tasting, reaffirming their position as one of the best traditional cheese dairies in Gran Canaria. Furthermore, during the 27th Official Cheese Competition of the Gran Canaria Island Council, held in 2020, they won first and second prize in the aged and semi-aged goat cheese categories , respectively, even during the height of the Covid pandemic.
Family tradition spanning over 70 years
La Gloria Cheese Factory boasts a long family tradition spanning over seventy years. José Miguel Ortega and Paqui Pérez represent the third generation at the helm of the business, which they have run for a quarter of a century. Before the pandemic, they had nearly 2.000 Majorera goats; currently, they maintain a herd of approximately 1.500, milked daily to guarantee an annual production of around 87.000 kilos of cheese: some 65.000 kilos are semi-cured cheeses and the remaining 22.000 kilos are cured cheeses.
Variety and excellence in artisanal Canarian cheeses
The repertoire offered by La Gloria is extensive: cured, hard, semi-cured, tender, paprika-flavored, coated with gofio or smoked are some of the specialties that stand out for their authentic flavor and artisanal preparation.
The secret to the success of La Gloria Cheese Factory
José Miguel Ortega and Paqui Pérez emphasize that the success of La Gloria Cheese Factory lies in several key factors. Among them, the freedom of movement enjoyed by their goats in the La Gloria countryside stands out, directly impacting the quality of the milk obtained. Furthermore, the meticulous care and feeding of the livestock guarantee a final product of the highest quality.
The production process is entirely artisanal: each cheese is made by hand with dedication and care, keeping alive the traditional techniques passed down through generations. This daily commitment to achieving an exceptional artisanal Canarian cheese is reflected in every piece produced.
Persistence, hard work, and a passion for maintaining the highest standards have made La Gloria a benchmark in the cheese sector, both in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and throughout the Canary Islands. Its history and accolades attest to a trajectory dedicated to excellence and respect for family tradition.
