ALPHA—Burnett Dairy Cooperative earned medals for five of their artisan cheese varieties at the 2014 World Championship Cheese Contest, the largest and most respected cheese competition in the world.
Alpha’s Morning Sun with Herbes de Provence was awarded Best of Class in the Flavored Hard Cheese Category, submitted by Burnett Dairy’s Master Cheesemaker, Bruce Willis. His Alpha’s Morning Sun with Rosemary was awarded Third Place in the same category. “I am honored and humbled to be amongst the best cheesemakers in the world,” stated Willis. “I first give thanks to God and then to my co-workers at Burnett Dairy. We wouldn’t be able to make such great cheese if it weren’t for the high quality milk that comes from our patrons. I also want to thank the marketing team and Burnett Dairy administration for their support and encouragement to continue to produce new and innovative products.” Willis started working for Burnett Dairy in 1971 and has been a licensed cheesemaker since 1974. He became a Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker in 2006 and masters in Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack and Mozzarella.
Martin Scanlon submitted the Best of Class winner, Smoked String Cheese in the Open Class: Smoked Soft & Semi-Soft Cheese category. “I am so happy and excited to have won such a respected award,” said Scanlon. “I want to thank my co-workers and our milk patrons – it all starts with the farms and the care they take of their cows to provide us with quality milk. It’s really fun to be part of the Burnett Dairy team, and I love making really good cheese.” Scanlon has worked for Burnett Dairy for 24 years and has been a licensed cheesemaker since 2008.
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