Last month’s update from the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium addressed an increase in retail and foodservice opportunities. This month, the organization is sharing news of an impressive success as it took home 137 medals at this year’s World Cheese Awards.
"The Parmigiano Reggiano National Team has demonstrated once again the qualities of a cheese that is unique in the world,” said Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Consortium. “We are going home with our heads held high, with a total haul of 137 medals, three of which are Super Gold and 27 gold, after competing with over 4,500 cheeses from 43 countries on six continents. A success that is a source of pride for the whole supply chain, which every day involves thousands of breeders and 300 artisan dairies in the quest for absolute excellence".
As a press release explained, the Parmigiano Reggiano National Team was made up of 99 dairies from the five provinces of the production area: Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna (to the left of the Reno River), and Mantua (to the right of the Po River).
The powerful team took home a total of 137 medals, a record number of wins for the organization. This includes three Super Gold awards (best table cheese), 27 gold, 44 silver, and 63 bronze. In addition, 13 medals (four gold, two silver, and seven bronze) were awarded to dairies that entered the competition independently, bringing the total number to 150 medals for the PDO.
"The Northern Lights that illuminated the sky of Trondheim on October 28 brought a record number of medals—as many as 137!—for the 99 dairy members of the Parmigiano Reggiano National Team,” commented Gabriele Arlotti, the creator of the National Team, from Trondheim. “Thanks to these awards, the dairies have the opportunity to add greater value to their production. In addition, participating in competitions in various countries around the world makes it possible to evaluate the different levels of appreciation of our cheese by the juries. We know for sure that the 'rich' Norwegian market (+44 percent medals compared to the previous edition in Wales!) loves Parmigiano Reggiano. The challenge for the future is to consolidate our position as the most awarded cheese in the world. We would like to thank the breeders, cheesemakers, artisans, and their families for believing in this journey.”
To view a full list of the awards presented to the Parmigiano Reggiano National Team, click here.
And for more World Cheese Awards insights, keep clicking on DMN.
