PORTLAND, OR – An international panel of expert judges recognized four Oregon
cheeses from more than 2,300 entries from 20 countries at the World Championship
Cheese Contest. Directed by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, the
competition was held March 16-18 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Medal winning Oregon cheese makers included: Rivers Edge Chevre, Rogue Creamery,
Tillamook County Creamery Association and Tumalo Farms. Other top contenders
included Larsen’s Creamery, and Willamette Valley Cheese Co.
Oregon artisan cheese makers have increasingly gained national and international
recognition in recent years. Oregon’s World Cheese Championship Contest
recognitions follow several awards at the August 2009 American Cheese Society
Conference and Competition. There, Oregon cheeses garnered 18 honors, including
Best of Show for Rogue Creamery’s Rogue River Blue.
The World Championship Cheese Contest is the largest international cheese and
butter competition. Each entry is evaluated and scored on aesthetics and
technical merits. The top scorers represent the ideal example of a variety and
are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. For complete results on all 79 entry
classes as well as contest photos, visit
www.worldchampioncheese.org.
About the Oregon Cheese Guild
Founded in 2006, the Oregon Cheese Guild is dedicated to the art and craft of
making cheese. The Guild is a collaborative effort to help cheese makers
network, create educational opportunities and benefit from participating in
economies of scale. The Guild is committed to growing its loyal base of artisan
cheese lovers by educating consumers on high-quality handmade, farmstead and
specialty cheeses. Membership is limited to farmstead, artisan and commercial
cheese makers.
www.oregoncheeseguild.org.
Oregon Dairy Products Commission
The Oregon Dairy Products Commission works on behalf of 300 dairy farm families
who, with the help of 115,000 dairy cows and 20 Oregon dairy processors, provide
award-winning cheeses, milk, butter, and an extensive line of premium ice cream,
sour cream and yogurt. Milk is the official state beverage of Oregon, and Oregon
milk is recognized nationwide as a leader in the United States for milk quality.
The Oregon dairy industry is a community-conscious, caring business that
contributes more than $1 billion to Oregon’s economic well being each year.
Oregon dairy producers care about their cows, their communities, and the land,
air and water of Oregon.
www.dairyfarmersor.com.
2010 World Championship Cheese Contest Awards
Oregon Winners by Class
Cheddar, ‘Medium’
1st Place: Tillamook County Creamery, Cheddar Medium Yellow
Blue Veined, Exterior Molding
2nd Place: Rogue Creamery, Caveman Blue
Flavored Soft Goat’s Milk Cheese
3rd Place: Rivers Edge Chevre, Up in Smoke
Hard Goat’s Milk Cheeses
3rd Place: Tumalo Farms, Classico