KIEL, Wis. — Henning Cheese delivered a championship performance at the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest, earning multiple first place honors and a top 20 overall finish for the second year in a row. Onion & Chive Cheddar was named top 20 overall and best in its class, with Aged Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar and Dragon’s Breath Cheddar all awarded medals for top 3 finishes.
“We’re thrilled to see our cheeses recognized as best in class in what is always an incredibly competitive pool of entries,” said Rebekah Henschel, co-owner & director of Henning’s national sales. “To have one of our products named in the top 20 back-to-back years shows us that the hard work and dedication we put into our craft is paying off in the high-quality cheese we make.”
The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest has been held biennially since 1981. 2025 marks the 22nd edition of the contest, hosted in Green Bay, Wis., by the Wisconsin Cheese Maker’s Association. The contest is open to cheesemakers across the nation and is evaluated by a panel of skilled technical judges. Cheeses are scored by flavor, body and texture, salt, color, finish, packaging and more. This year’s competition saw more than 2.400 entries from 31 different states.
Henning Cheese accolades by class and place are as follows:
- Open Class: Hard Cheeses, Flavored – Onion & Chive Cheddar – 1st place (Top 20 Overall)
- Open Class: Pepper Flavored Cheese, High Heat – Dragon’s Breath Cheddar – 1st place
- Traditional Waxed Cheddar, Sharp to Aged:
- Aged Cheddar (cured over 9 months) – 1st Place
- Sharp Cheddar (cured over 18 months) – 2nd Place
Henning Cheese can be found online and in grocery stores nationwide.
About Henning Cheese
Founded in 1914 by Otto Henning, Henning Cheese is a fourth-generation family cheese company specializing in artisan and specialty cheeses. They are traditionally crafted so that their distinct, natural flavors can come through with every bite. Henning Cheese sources milk from small family dairy farms within a 30-mile radius of the cheese factory, with the belief that quality milk creates quality cheese. In 2025, Henning’s will celebrate its 111th anniversary of quality products that are enjoyed nationwide.
