Award Winners

2026 World Championship Chese Contest

Cheddar, Medium (3 to 6 months)

Third Award

Agropur, Inc.

Weyauwega, WI

Cheddar Cheese

Score: 98.045

Cheddar, Aged One to Two Years

Best of Class

Agropur, Inc.

Weyauwega, WI

Cheddar Cheese

Score: 99.125

Cheddar, Aged Two Years or Longer

Best of Class

Land O' Lakes

Kiel, WI

Land O'Lakes Aged Cheddar

Score: 98.55

Third Award

Land O' Lakes

Kiel, WI

Land O'Lakes Aged Cheddar

Score: 98.3

Traditional Waxed Cheddar

Best of Class

Deer Creek Cheese

Kiel, WI

Deer Creek The Imperial Buck

Score: 97.85

Second Award

Henning Cheese, Inc.

Kiel, WI

Henning's Aged Cheddar

Score: 97.45

Third Award

Deer Creek Cheese

Kiel, WI

Deer Creek The Wild Stag

Score: 97.15

Colby

Best of Class

Meister Cheese Co LLC

Muscoda, WI

Colby

Score: 99.5

Second Award

Meister Cheese Co LLC

Muscoda, WI

Colby

Score: 99.45

Monterey Jack

Best of Class

Associated Milk Producers, Inc.

Jim Falls, WI

AMPI Monterey Jack

Score: 99.4

Third Award

Meister Cheese Co LLC

Muscoda, WI

Monterey Jack

Score: 99.1

Marbled Curd Cheese

Best of Class

Nasonville Dairy, Inc.

Marshfield, WI

Marbled Colby Jack

Score: 98.755

Mozzarella

Best of Class

BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.

Denmark, WI

BelGioioso Low Moisture Whole Milk Mozzarella

Score: 98.99

Second Award

Agropur, Inc.

Luxemburg, WI

Low Moisture Whole Milk Cheese

Score: 98.515

Third Award

Foremost  Farms USA Cooperative

Appleton, WI

Mozzarella LMWM

Score: 98.35

Burrata

Third Award

BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.

Denmark, WI

BelGioioso Burrata

Score: 99.35

Provolone, Mild

Best of Class

Burnett Dairy Cooperative

Grantsburg, WI

Fancy Brand Mild Provolone

Score: 99.335

Second Award

Burnett Dairy Cooperative

Grantsburg, WI

Fancy Brand Mild Provolone

Score: 99.295

Third Award

Agropur, Inc.

Luxemburg, WI

Provolone Cheese

Score: 99.245

Provolone, Aged

Best of Class

Burnett Dairy Cooperative

Grantsburg, WI

Fancy Brand Aged Provolone

Score: 99.175

Third Award

Burnett Dairy Cooperative

Grantsburg, WI

Fancy Brand Aged Provolone

Score: 98.75

Provolone, Smoked

Best of Class

Agropur, Inc.

Luxemburg, WI

Smoked Provolone Cheese

Score: 97.75

String Cheese

Third Award

Agropur, Inc.

Little Chute, WI

Low Moisture Mozzarella, String Cheese

Score: 99.35

Asiago

Best of Class

Schuman Cheese, Inc.

Turtle Lake, WI

Cello Extra Aged Asiago

Score: 98.1

Second Award

Schuman Cheese, Inc.

Turtle Lake, WI

Cello Asiago

Score: 97.5

Parmesan

Second Award

BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.

Denmark, WI

BelGioioso American Grana

Score: 98.15

Cottage Cheese, Reduced or Low Fat

Third Award

Westby Cooperative Creamery

Westby, WI

Westby 2% Small Curd Cottage Cheese

Score: 97.65

Feta

Best of Class

Nasonville Dairy, Inc.

Marshfield, WI

Feta in Brine

Score: 97.4

Second Award

Lactalis USA, Inc.

Belmont, WI

Président Feta

Score: 96.7

Third Award

Agropur, Inc.

Weyauwega, WI

Feta Cheese

Score: 96.55

Feta, Flavored

Best of Class

Klondike Cheese Company

Monroe, WI

Odyssey Mediterranean Feta in Brine

Score: 99.05

Second Award

Klondike Cheese Company

Monroe, WI

Odyssey Peppercorn Feta in Brine

Score: 98.75

Third Award

Klondike Cheese Company

Monroe, WI

Odyssey Tomato & Basil Feta in Brine

Score: 98.65

Brick & Muenster

Best of Class

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Decatur Dairy Muenster

Score: 99.3

Third Award

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Decatur Dairy Muenster

Score: 99.255

Havarti

Best of Class

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Decatur Dairy Havarti

Score: 99.325

Second Award

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Decatur Dairy Havarti

Score: 99.25

Third Award

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Decatur Dairy Havarti

Score: 99.15

Havarti, Flavored

Best of Class

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Decatur Dairy Dill Havarti Cheese

Score: 99.05

Second Award

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Decatur Dairy Dill Havarti Cheese

Score: 98.8

Third Award

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Decatur Dairy Dill Havarti Cheese

Score: 98.65

Edam

Best of Class

Arla Foods, Inc.

Kaukauna, WI

Edam

Score: 98.38

Gouda, Flavored

Best of Class

Hollands Family Cheese - Marieke Gouda

Thorp, WI

Marieke Gouda Honey Clover

Score: 98.6

Second Award

Hollands Family Cheese - Marieke Gouda

Thorp, WI

Marieke Gouda Cumin

Score: 98.4

Gouda, Smoked

Second Award

Hollands Family Cheese - Marieke Gouda

Thorp, WI

Marieke Gouda Smoked

Score: 97.7

Latin American Style Melting Cheeses

Best of Class

V & V Supremo Foods, Inc.

Browntown, WI

Queso Chihuahua

Score: 99.45

Second Award

V & V Supremo Foods, Inc.

Browntown, WI

Queso Chihuahua

Score: 99.315

Pepper Flavored Monterey Jack, High Heat

Second Award

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

Menomonie, WI

Ellsworth Habanero Ghost Jack

Score: 99.205

Open Class: Pepper Flavored Cheese, Mild Heat

Second Award

Arla Foods, Inc.

Kaukauna, WI

Castello - Chipotle Gouda

Score: 99.4

Third Award

Arla Foods, Inc.

Kaukauna, WI

Castello - Chipotle Gouda

Score: 99.395

Open Class: Pepper Flavored Cheese, High Heat

Best of Class

Deer Creek Cheese

Kiel, WI

Deer Creek The Rattlesnake

Score: 99.175

Second Award

Henning Cheese, Inc.

Kiel, WI

Henning's Dragons Breath Cheddar

Score: 98.95

Third Award

Henning Cheese, Inc.

Kiel, WI

Henning's Mango Fire Cheddar

Score: 98.75

Open Class: Soft Cheeses, Flavored

Second Award

Schuman Cheese, Inc.

Turtle Lake, WI

Cello Madagascar Vanilla Mascarpone

Score: 99.6

Open Class: Semi-soft Cheeses

Best of Class

Hollands Family Cheese - Marieke Gouda

Thorp, WI

Golden Young

Score: 99.475

Third Award

Hollands Family Cheese - Marieke Gouda

Thorp, WI

Golden Mature

Score: 99.1

Open Class: Semi-soft Cheeses, Flavored

Best of Class

Arena Cheese

Arena, WI

Toasted Onion Jack

Score: 98.975

Open Class: Hard Cheeses, Flavored

Best of Class

Deer Creek Cheese

Kiel, WI

Deer Creek The Carawaybou

Score: 99.05

Second Award

Burnett Dairy Cooperative

Grantsburg, WI

Wood River Creamery Black Truffle Cheddar Gruyere

Score: 98.7

Third Award

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc

Shullsburg, WI

Bourbon Barrel Cracked Black Pepper Cheddar

Score: 98.5

Open Class: Smoked Hard Cheeses

Third Award

Meister Cheese Co LLC

Muscoda, WI

Beechwood Smoked Cheddar

Score: 98.77

Open Class: Cheese Curds

Best of Class

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Oaxaca Cheese Curd

Score: 99.6

Second Award

Lynn Dairy, Inc.

GRANTON, WI

Regular Cheese Curds

Score: 99.3

Third Award

Decatur Dairy, Inc.

Brodhead, WI

Muenster Cheese Curd

Score: 99.25

Open Class: Cheese Curds, Flavored

Best of Class

Nasonville Dairy, Inc.

Curtiss, WI

Garlic and Dill Cheese Curds

Score: 99.515

Second Award

Arena Cheese

Arena, WI

Buffalo Curd

Score: 99.33

Third Award

LaGrander's Hillside Dairy, Inc.

Stanley, WI

LaGrander's Garlic and Herb Cheese Curds

Score: 99.315

Reduced Fat Soft & Semi-soft Cheeses

Third Award

Klondike Cheese Company

Monroe, WI

Odyssey Reduced Fat Feta in Brine

Score: 98.645

Lowfat Cheeses

Best of Class

Klondike Cheese Company

Monroe, WI

Odyssey Fat Free Feta in Brine

Score: 99

Second Award

Agropur, Inc.

Weyauwega, WI

Fat Free Feta Cheese

Score: 98.45

Third Award

Klondike Cheese Company

Monroe, WI

Odyssey Lowfat Feta in Brine

Score: 97.85

Reduced Sodium Cheeses

Third Award

Agropur, Inc.

Luxemburg, WI

Reduced Sodium Provolone Cheese

Score: 98.35

Cold Pack Cheese

Best of Class

Widmer's Cheese Cellars, Inc.

Theresa, WI

Brick Spread

Score: 98.7

Second Award

Hollands Family Cheese - Marieke Gouda

Thorp, WI

Marieke Gouda Original Cheese Spread

Score: 98.5

Third Award

Burnett Dairy Cooperative

Grantsburg, WI

Wood River Creamery Original Cheddar Gruyere Spreadable Cheese

Score: 98.3

Cold Pack Cheese, Flavored

Best of Class

Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.

Newton, WI

Rebel Kent Amber Ale Beer Cheese Spread

Score: 99.6

Second Award

Burnett Dairy Cooperative

Grantsburg, WI

Wood River Creamery Black Truffle Cheddar Gruyere Spreadable Cheese

Score: 99.15

Third Award

Meister Cheese Co LLC

Muscoda, WI

Bruschetta Jack Cheese Spread

Score: 99.145

Cream Cheese

Best of Class

Kraft Foods, Inc.

BEAVER DAM, WI

Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese

Score: 99.2

Cream Cheese Spreads

Third Award

Kraft Foods, Inc.

BEAVER DAM, WI

Philadelphia Reduced Fat Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread

Score: 99.045

Spreadable Natural Cheeses

Best of Class

Lactalis USA, Inc.

Merrill, WI

President Rondele Mango Habanero Spreadable Cheese

Score: 98.95

Second Award

Lactalis USA, Inc.

Merrill, WI

President Rondele Garden Vegetable Spreadable Cheese

Score: 98.45

Third Award

Lactalis USA, Inc.

Merrill, WI

President Rondele Garlic & Herbs Spreadable Cheese

Score: 98.1

Pasteurized Process Cheeses

Best of Class

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

New London, WI

Ellsworth White EZ Melt

Score: 98.845

Second Award

CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley

Colby, WI

Processed American Cheese - White

Score: 98.805

Pasteurized Process Cheeses, Flavored

Second Award

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

New London, WI

Ellsworth Pasteurized Process Pizza Cheese

Score: 99.4

Pasteurized Process Cheese Slices

Best of Class

Associated Milk Producers, Inc.

Portage, WI

Dinner Bell's Pasteurized Processed American Cheese Slices - Colored

Score: 99.55

Third Award

Schreiber Foods, Inc.

Green Bay, WI

Sharp American Process Cheese Slices- Schreiber Foods

Score: 99.25

Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread

Second Award

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

New London, WI

Ellsworth Sharp Cheddar Cheese Dip

Score: 99.4

Pasteurized Process Cheese Product

Third Award

Lactalis USA, Inc.

Merrill, WI

President Wee-Brie Cheese Wedges

Score: 98.94

Soft Goat's Milk Cheeses

Third Award

LaClare Family Creamery

Malone, WI

LaClare Creamery Original Goat Cheese

Score: 98.75

Soft Goat's Milk Cheeses, Flavored with Sweet Condiments

Third Award

LaClare Family Creamery

Malone, WI

LaClare Creamery Fig & Honey Goat Cheese

Score: 99.3

Semi-soft (Semi-hard) Goat's Milk Cheeses

Second Award

Kingston Cheese Co-op

Cambria, WI

Goat Blue

Score: 99.45

Soft-Ripened Goat's Milk Cheeses

Second Award

Blakesville Creamery

Port Washington, WI

Blakesville Creamery Truffle Shuffle

Score: 98.85

Soft Sheep's Milk Cheeses

Second Award

Hidden Springs Creamery LLC

Westby, WI

Hidden Springs Creamery Driftless Maple Cream

Score: 99.3

Semi-soft (Semi-hard) Sheep’s Milk Cheeses

Best of Class

Carr Valley Cheese Company, Inc.

Mauston, WI

Sante

Score: 98.8

Second Award

Hook's Cheese Company, Inc.

Mineral Point, WI

Hook's Sheep Milk Butterkase

Score: 98.35

Hard Sheep’s Milk Cheeses, Extra Aged (over 6 months)

Second Award

Blakesville Creamery

Port Washington, WI

Blakesville Creamery Mariana

Score: 99.85

Sheep’s Milk Cheeses with Blue Mold

Best of Class

Maple Leaf Cheese Co

Cambria, WI

Ewe're My Boy, Blue

Score: 99.15

Second Award

Maple Leaf Cheese Co

Cambria, WI

Ewe're My Boy, Blue

Score: 98.4

Third Award

Hook's Cheese Company, Inc.

Mineral Point, WI

Hook's Little Boy Blue

Score: 98.25

Surface Ripened Sheep’s Milk Cheeses

Best of Class

Blakesville Creamery

Port Washington, WI

Blakesville Creamery Artze

Score: 99.45

Semi-soft and Hard Sheep's Milk Cheeses, Flavored

Second Award

Maple Leaf Cheese Co

Cambria, WI

A Blue Named Sue

Score: 98.75

Third Award

Maple Leaf Cheese Co

Cambria, WI

A Blue Named Sue

Score: 98.745

Soft & Semi-soft Mixed Milk Cheeses

Second Award

Deer Creek Cheese

Linden, WI

Deer Creek The Indigo Bunting

Score: 99.3

Third Award

Carr Valley Cheese Company, Inc.

Mauston, WI

Caso Bolo Mellage

Score: 99.25

Hard Mixed Milk Cheeses (over 6 months)

Third Award

Cedar Grove Cheese, Inc.

Plain, WI

Montague

Score: 98.5

Mixed Milk Cheeses, Flavored

Second Award

Deer Creek Cheese

Plain, WI

Deer Creek The Swan

Score: 98.6

Butter, Salted

Best of Class

Royal Guernsey Creamery

Columbus, WI

Salted Butter

Score: 98.9

Butter, Flavored

Best of Class

Landmark Creamery LLC

Belleville, WI

Cinnamon Maple Butter

Score: 99.2

Second Award

Deer Creek Cheese

Columbus, WI

Signature Butter

Score: 98.95

Third Award

Nordic Creamery

Westby, WI

Hansen's Sugar Shack

Score: 98.9

Cultured Dairy Dips

Second Award

Westby Cooperative Creamery

Westby, WI

Westby French Onion Dip

Score: 99.55

Third Award

Pine River Pre Pack, Inc

NEWTON, WI, WI

Street Corn Dip

Score: 99.5

Yogurt

Third Award

Klondike Cheese Company

Monroe, WI

Odyssey Plain Yogurt

Score: 98.95

Snack Cheese

Best of Class

Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.

Plymouth, WI

Jalapeno Habanero Snack Sticks

Score: 98.745

Third Award

BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.

Denmark, WI

BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Snacking Cheese

Score: 98.625

Open Class: Shredded Cheese

Best of Class

V & V Supremo Foods, Inc.

Arena, WI

Shredded Chihuahua

Score: 99.715

Second Award

Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.

Oostburg, WI

Colby Jack Shredded Cheese

Score: 99.675

Third Award

V & V Supremo Foods, Inc.

Arena, WI

Shredded Chihuahua

Score: 99.45

Open Class: Shredded Italian Style Cheese

Best of Class

Cedar Valley Cheese, Inc.

Belgium, WI

Low Moisture Mozzarella shred

Score: 99.78

Second Award

Cedar Valley Cheese, Inc.

Belgium, WI

Low Moisture Mozzarella shred

Score: 99.345

Third Award

Agropur, Inc.

Weyauwega, WI

Low Moisture Mozzarella Shredded

Score: 99.28

Open Class: Shredded Cheese Blends

Best of Class

Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.

Oostburg, WI

3 State Sharp Cheddar Shred Blend

Score: 98.55

Second Award

Great Lakes Cheese Company, Inc

Plymouth, WI

Alpine Blend (Grand Cru, Havarti and Swiss) - Great Lakes Cheese

Score: 98.45

Third Award

Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.

Plymouth, WI

Ultimate Pizza Shred Blend

Score: 98.425

Open Class: Crumbled Cheese

Third Award

Agropur, Inc.

Weyauwega, WI

Crumbled Feta Cheese

Score: 99.115

Open Class: Grated Cheese

Best of Class

Lactalis USA, Inc.

Wausau, WI

Kraft Grated Parmesan

Score: 97.2

Third Award

W&W Dairy, LLC

Monroe, WI

Cotija Powder

Score: 96.25

Prepared Cheese Foods

Best of Class

Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin, Inc.

Darlington, WI

Brun-Uusto - Brunkow's Baked Cheese with Garlic

Score: 97.5

Second Award

Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin, Inc.

Darlington, WI

Brun-Uusto - Brunkow's Baked Cheese with Smoked Bacon

Score: 97.495

Third Award

Carr Valley Cheese Company, Inc.

La Valle, WI

Garlic Bread Cheese

Score: 97.3

Cheese Based Spreads

Best of Class

Pine River Pre Pack, Inc

NEWTON, WI, WI

Dill Pickle Cheese Spread

Score: 98

Second Award

Lactalis USA, Inc.

Merrill, WI

Black Diamond Extra Sharp Cheddar Spreadable Cheese

Score: 97.65

Third Award

Pine River Pre Pack, Inc

NEWTON, WI, WI

Spicy Pickle Cheese Spread

Score: 97.6