It’s that time of year when the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) opens entries for the 2024 World Champion Cheese Contest. The organization invites participants to enter cheese, butter, yogurt, and dry dairy ingredients for the chance to take home the prestigious title of World Champion Cheese.
“The world’s best dairy processors compete in the World Championship Cheese Contest to foster quality manufacture within their teams, gain valuable feedback from our expert judges, and market coveted gold, silver, and bronze wins to their customers,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director.
Hosted by WCMA since 1957, this 35th biennial competition is one of the largest technical dairy product evaluations in the world, a release stated. In 2022, judges evaluated 2,978 entries.
In 2024, the World Championship Cheese Contest will include 142 classes of dairy products. An elite team of world-renowned judges will evaluate entries. From a maximum possible 100 points, judges deduct for any defect related to flavor, body and texture, salt, color, finish, and packaging.
A gold, silver, and bronze medal will be awarded to the three highest-scoring entries in each class. Gold medal cheeses move to a Championship Round for a shot at the World Champion Cheese title.
This year, WCMA is offering a best-value rate of $75 per entry when you enter by December 1, 2023. After that date, all entries will cost $90 per product. All entries must be submitted by January 26, 2024. Judging will occur March 5–7 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
To enter, click here.
Who will take home the 2024 titles? Keep reading Deli Market News to find out.
