Plant Ahead USA Wins Prestigious 2026 TASTY Award for Cheddar Slices
May 14, 2026 | 2 min to read
Plant Ahead USA, a leader in next-generation dairy-free cheese innovation, proudly announces that its Cheddar Slices have been recognized as a winner in the 2026 TASTY Awards, presented by Nectar.
The TASTY Awards are part of Nectar’s annual “Taste of the Industry” initiative—one of the world’s largest independent sensory studies of plant-based foods. Winners are selected through rigorous blind taste testing, where products must perform with or better than their animal-based counterparts among consumers.
Plant Ahead’s Cheddar Slices stood out in the highly competitive cheddar category, earning recognition alongside leading brands and signaling a major step forward in taste, texture, and performance for dairy-free cheese.
“This award validates what we’ve always believed—that plant-based cheese can truly deliver on taste,” said Jeff Strah, President at Plant Ahead USA. “Our goal is not to create alternatives, but to create products that people genuinely prefer. Winning a TASTY Award is a powerful endorsement from everyday consumers.” Cheese has historically been one of the most challenging categories in plant-based innovation due to the complexity of replicating dairy’s flavor, melt, and texture. Recognition from the TASTY Awards underscores the progress being made and highlights Plant Ahead’s role in elevating expectations for dairy-free products.
Plant Ahead continues to expand its portfolio of premium dairy-free cheeses designed for both retail and foodservice, with a focus on delivering products that meet the demands of chefs, operators, and consumers alike.
For more information, visit www.plantaheadusa.com
About Plant Ahead USA
Plant Ahead USA is dedicated to redefining dairy-free cheese through culinary-driven innovation, delivering products that excel in taste, performance, and versatility across foodservice and retail applications.
About Nectar
Nectar is an independent nonprofit focused on accelerating the transition to a more sustainable food system through large-scale sensory research and consumer insights. Its TASTY Awards recognize plant-based products that meet or exceed consumer expectations for taste and quality.