Applications were received from Cheeselandians across the country. The final three culinary creatives competed in the first-ever
Top Cheese competition. Watch and enjoy the reel below.
The competitors were sharp, and the judges had a lot to whey. However, Carrie S. beat out fellow cheesetestants Daniel Ramirez and Sara Bojarski to be crowned the “Top Cheese of Cheeselandia” in a head-to-head competition held in Madison, Wisconsin. Cheeselandia’s Top Cheese competition entailed four rounds of cheese knowledge and skill, including rapid-fire Cheese Trivia, a Blind Cheese Taste Test, a Build-a-Board challenge and the grand finale—creating the Perfect Bite!
Meet the Cheesetestants
The Top Cheese: Carrie S. of Chicago, Illinois, joined Cheeselandia in 2022 shortly after becoming a cheesemonger. Carrie is “passionate about making the world of cheese more accessible to everyone” and describes competing in Top Cheese as a “life-changing experience” that provided opportunities to learn, connect, grow and share.
Daniel Ramirez of Waco, Texas, was invited to be one of the first Cheeselandians to join the community and is a former Cheeselandia Town Council member. Daniel is a writer, food critic, editor-at-large and professor at Baylor University.
Sara Bojarski of Princeton, New Jersey, joined Cheeselandia in 2021 and fell in love with the community after hosting the first House Party. Sara attended culinary school in New York and has worked as a private chef for over a decade.
Taste Their Perfect Bites
For the Perfect Bite challenge, the cheesetestants selected a Wisconsin cheese, a secret item from home and a surprise mystery basket ingredient.
Carrie’s Perfect Bite was named the fan favorite. It featured Roelli Dunbarton Blue® atop a handmade brown butter and Chinese five-spice cookie dotted with dried cherries and chocolate. Candied bacon from the mystery basket elevated this sweet, salty and savory winner to the top.
Daniel’s first love is cheddar. The Perfect Bite involved bold Hook’s 15-Year Cheddar and a secret signature homemade Chili Crisp recipe. Candied bacon completed the creation, giving it a hint of sweetness and a savory punch.
Sartori Merlot BellaVitano® was the centerpiece of Sara’s Perfect Bite. It was paired with truffle honey, the secret ingredient to this sweet, salty combination that complemented the cheese’s wine notes. Fresh sage from the mystery basket added a special, aromatic touch.
