Green Bay, WI — BelGioioso and Polly-O have earned top honors during the 2025 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest Judging, with several of their cheeses receiving notable accolades. BelGioioso’s new Marinated Fresh Mozzarella with Fresh Basil and Garlic was awarded a 1st place in category and a top 20 finish overall. BelGioioso Sharp Provolone Mandarino received 1st place in the Aged Provolone category, and continues to hold this prominent position year after year. Polly-O claimed 1st place in the String Cheese category with their new innovative Fresh Mozzarella String Cheese. Additionally, BelGioioso’s Asiago Fresco earned 2nd place, and Polly-O’s NY Style Ricotta earned 3rd place.
The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is one of the largest and most respected cheese competitions in the country, attracting over 2400 entries from across the U.S. This year’s event marked an impressive display of craftsmanship and innovation in cheesemaking.
“Our Cheesemakers work diligently to produce the highest quality cheeses, and this recognition highlights their dedication and passion for crafting award-winning cheeses,” states Gaetano Auricchio, President, BelGioioso Cheese. “We’re excited about the success of our Marinated Fresh Mozzarella and Fresh Mozzarella String Cheese – two new innovative offerings that retailers and consumers love. Sharp Provolone has been the cornerstone of our success from the very first day at BelGioioso. We have over 45 years of success crafting this specialty cheese.”
BelGioioso Marinated Fresh Mozzarella with Fresh Basil and Garlic – 1st Place & Top 20 Finish Overall
BelGioioso Sharp Provolone Mandarino – 1st Place
Polly-O Fresh Mozzarella String Cheese – 1st Place
BelGioioso Asiago Fresco – 2nd Place
Polly-O New York Style Ricotta – 3rd Place
The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is a celebration of American cheese, bringing together the finest producers in the industry. The contest was judged by a panel of renowned experts who evaluated entries on taste, texture and overall quality.
BelGioioso’s success at the contest reaffirms their commitment to producing exceptional, high-quality cheeses that elevate the cheese experience for both chefs and consumers nationwide.
“We are grateful to our loyal customers for their continued support and to the judges for recognizing our cheeses,” added Auricchio. “The awards inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries of cheesemaking and delivering the best to our customers.”
BelGioioso Cheese is a family-owned and operated company specializing in artisan Italian cheesemaking. Using only natural ingredients and fresh, local Wisconsin milk, Master Cheesemakers hand-craft a full line of exceptional cheeses guided by a commitment to quality and a respect for tradition. At BelGioioso, every cheese is a specialty.
