MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin dominated the 2015 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest in Milwaukee this week, sweeping more than a third of the categories judged.
America's Dairyland claimed two of the three overall awards. John (Randy) Pitman, a Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker at Mill Creek Cheese Factory in Arena, Wisconsin, took First Runner-Up for his brick cheese. Founded in 1891, Mill Creek Cheese Factory is the oldest operating cheese plant in southwest Wisconsin's Iowa County. Second Runner-Up went to Land O'Lakes, Inc. in Kiel, Wisconsin, for their medium cheddar.
This year's contest drew a record-breaking 1,892 entries from 28 states. Wisconsin captured 59 percent of awards: 158 of the total 270 given, far more than any other state. New York ranked second in total awards with 22, followed by Vermont with 18 and California with 16.
Fifty-six Wisconsin companies took one or more awards with 11 garnering five or more. They are: Agropur; BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.; Carr Valley Cheese Co., Inc.; Edelweiss Creamery; Hidden Springs Creamery; Holland's Family Cheese, LLC; Klondike Cheese Co.; Lactalis Deli, Inc.; Mill Creek Cheese Factory; Montchevré-Betin Inc.; and Sartori Company.
For a complete rundown on Wisconsin's awards, visit http://www.uschampioncheese.org/results/. For more information about Wisconsin cheese, visit EatWisconsinCheese.com.