The annual cheese fest kicks off this weekend

Visitors will have the chance to sample more than 450 British and Irish cheeses, along with Welsh food and drink in the Taste of Wales Market. Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones said: "I am delighted The Great British Cheese Festival is returning to Cardiff. Last year's Festival was a resounding success, and put Wales and Welsh cheese-making firmly in the spotlight. "Earlier this year I launched the Food Tourism Plan which is all about improving perceptions of Wales as a destination where locally sourced, high quality and distinctive food is widely available . Events such as the Great British Cheese festival are key to helping us achieve this aim." The Festival kicks off on British Cheese Week (September 26 – October 4) and on the eve of the Festival the nearby National Museum of Wales will host the British Cheese Awards. The weekend features some 21 master classes and demonstrations looking at a range of topics such as the diversity of British cheese, matching cheese with wines, beers, ciders and perry, and what it takes to make an award-winning cheese. There will also be a master class on blue cheese led by Steve Peace of the True Taste Award-winning Carmarthenshire Cheese Company which at last year's British Cheese Awards scooped the Best Welsh Cheese title and the Dougal Campbell trophy. Meanwhile cheese expert David Edwards will be demonstrating the delights of Welsh mould ripened cheese. New for this year is the chance for visitors to enter the Hall of Champions and create their own champion cheeseboard. There will be a variety of activities including cheesy fun and games, such as Cheese Skittles and Cheese Tossing on the castle green, with challengers out to beat the current record of 64' 4".