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Besides the brave robins that have made their way back, we have another sign of spring. It’s the championship cheese contest.
The precise name varies a bit every other year. Last year Wisconsin hosted the World Championship Cheese Contest. This time around it hosted the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest.
Last week’s contest took place in Green Bay, in the atrium at Lambeau Field. For several prior years, both the world and U.S. events have alternated between Madison and La Crosse. Wherever they take place, if you like cheese, these contests are the place to be.
Hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, this year’s competition drew 1,360 examples of cheese and butter. They came from manufacturers large and small in 32 states.
As usual, America’s Dairyland set the pace, winning 114 medals. Wisconsin’s cheesemakers and buttermakers took home 41 gold awards, 38 silver and 35 bronze.
Wisconsin also earned the prestige of earning the overall championship. The “big cheese,” as it’s often dubbed, is a SarVecchio Parmesan, made by John Griffiths, with Sartori Foods, Antigo. It’s a 20-pound wheel that took first place in its category to gain entrance to the championship round. Two other states also earned double-digit medals. New York, in decades past one of the nation’s dairy powerhouses, took 18 awards n eight gold, seven silver, and three bronze.
To the west, Idaho scored 11 medals. The state better known for its spuds than for its cheese won two gold medals, three silver and seven bronze.
California n often thought to be Wisconsin’s cheese nemesis n won nine medals. Four were gold, three were silver, and two were bronze. Hopefully, the “happy cows” will be happy with their state’s showing.
Another Midwest state n Minnesota n garnered six medals n two in each category. Vermont, also once a dairy powerhouse won five medals.
Two states n Michigan and Oregon n each claimed four medals. Six states tied by taking home two medals each. Those states are Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Georgia.
Finally, entries from six states each won one medal. They are Washington, Indiana, Louisiana, South Dakota, South Carolina and Maryland.
Auction April 22
Twenty-four judges from 12 states put their taste buds to the test during the three-day event. Many of the contest’s top cheeses will be auctioned the evening of April 22 during the Wisconsin Cheese Industry Conference. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, the conference takes place at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse. It’s billed as “the largest cheese industry show” of the year.
Congratulations to all the cheesemakers and buttermakers. Thank-you n and the dairy farmers who supply the milk n for what you do. Agriview.com - March 26th, 2009 |
