MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin cheesemakers, along with the state's yogurt and butter makers, captured the top number of awards at the recent American Cheese Society competition in Sacramento, California, claiming 96 ribbons in all.
Wisconsin claimed 29 percent of all awards bestowed, winning more than any other state or country for the tenth consecutive year. Awards for America's Dairyland included 31 first place ribbons, 30 seconds and 35 thirds.
In addition to landing the most first place awards, Wisconsin cheesemakers swept seven categories: Mascarpone and Cream Cheese, Brick Cheese, Brick Muenster, Rindless Blue-Veined – made from goat’s milk, Grating Types, Feta with Flavor Added and Open Category – cheeses with flavor added. Wisconsin cheesemakers also dominated the awards for cow’s milk cheeses, winning 36 percent of all awards.
Twenty nine Wisconsin companies received one or more awards at the competition, and several Wisconsin cheesemakers had outstanding performances, including Carr Valley Cheese Co., which claimed 10 ribbons, Hidden Springs Creamery with nine ribbons, and BelGioioso Cheese Inc. and Klondike Cheese Co., each with seven ribbons.
The 2014 competition included 1,685 entries from 248 companies. An attached infographic highlights Wisconsin’s award winning history at the American Cheese Society competition. Visit www.eatwisconsincheese.com/ACS to view a complete list of Wisconsin award winners. Photos are available upon request.
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Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is a nonprofit organization of Wisconsin dairy producers that promotes the consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products made in America's Dairyland.
Source: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
