(Madison, WI) – Wisconsin has long been recognized as ground zero for world-class cheese production. Now, local start-up Yodelay is helping the dairy state make its mark in the rapidly growing yogurt category. Yodelay won two Best of Class awards at the fiercely competitive World Championship Cheese Contest, including a sweep of the top five spots in the Flavored Lowfat Yogurt category. It marks the first time in history that a single maker has earned all three awards in any yogurt category. Yodelay also took home Best of Class and Third Award in the Drinkable Cultured Products class.
“In terms of flavor and texture, our yogurt is unlike anything else made in the U.S.,” said Markus Candinas, who launched Yodelay ( yodelayyogurt.com ) with partner Michael Hull in 2017. “Awards like this aren’t the reason we went into business, but they do serve as a nice affirmation that we’ve created something special.”
Local product. Global stage.
The competition, which takes place in Madison, is international in scope, and draws makers of cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products from across the globe. In addition to recognizing the Best of Class for each category, judges bestow a Second Award and Third Award based on total points. The event has been held biennially since 1957, and this year attracted a record 3,402 entries from 26 countries and 32 states.
“We are thrilled by the record number of entries for our 2018 contest,” said Rebekah Sweeney, Communications and Policy Manager for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. “But the World Championship has always been more about quality than quantity. The judges really had their work cut out for them again this year.”
Craft Yogurt?
The journey from concept to cooler shelves was a long one for Candinas, even if the wait for recognition wasn’t. He’s committed to bringing the same artisanal approach to Yodelay that earned his first local company, Candinas Chocolatier, worldwide acclaim.
“We’ve been growing steadily over our first year, and recognition like this from the WCCC will only help,” added Hull. “We see how much people love the taste of Yodelay when we sample in stores, but it’s special when you can also impress a panel of respected international judges.”
Yodelay continues to rapidly gain retail distribution in South-central Wisconsin, and has already expanded into the Milwaukee and Chicago markets. Currently, there are more than 70 grocery stores stocking the brand. (http://yodelayyogurt.com/find-yodelay/)
About Yodelay
Yodelay makes authentic Swiss Yogurt in the heart of America’s Dairyland. Its perfect balance of “sweet” and “tart,” fruit-forward taste, and lighter body make it different than anything else available today. Yodelay Yogurt is based in Madison, WI. Its herd of Brown Swiss Cows is headquartered just outside New Glarus. For more information, visit yodelayyogurt.com.
About the World Championship Cheese Contest
The World Championship Cheese Contest® is the world’s premier technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition. The 2018 biennial edition, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, received a record 3,402 entries from 26 countries and 32 states. The distinguished international panel of 56 judges is drawn from the dairy industry and academia. For more information, visit worldchampioncheese.org
Source: Yodelay