Swiss cheesemaker wins third consecutive World Cheese Championship; Wisconsin wins 39 classes

| March 8, 2024 | Cheese | No Comments

MADISON — When you’re good, you’re good.

A Hornbacker cheese made by Michael Spycher of Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus in Bern, Switzerland, was named best cheese at the World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison. This was the third consecutive world competition in which Spycher won. He established himself in 2020 and 2022 with his Gourmino Le Gruyère AOP.

“I am incredibly honored to be among so many great cheeses, people and cheesemaking minds,” said Joe Salonia, Gourmino’s U.S. representative. “Many of us in this room are lucky enough to do work we love. I think we’re living our best lives here in cheese.”

The competition, run by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association since 1957, included 3,302 cheese, yogurt, butter and dry dairy products in 142 classes. Judges and participants from 25 countries converged at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center for three days of all things cheesy.

Wisconsin cheesemakers won 39 of 142 categories. Two were among the 20 finalists: Schuman Cheese’s Lake Country Dairy in Turtle Lake and Henning Cheese in Kiel.

  • Charlie Henn, Agropur, Weyauwega, Cheddar

  • Foremost Farms USA, Marshfield, Medium Cheddar

  • Kiel Cheesemakers, Land O’Lakes, Kiel, Aged Cheddar

  • Joshua Henning, Henning Cheese Inc., Kiel, Midget Aged Cheddar

  • Team Nasonville Dairy Inc., Marshfield, Monterey Jack

  • Patrick Doell, Agropur, Luxembourg, low moisture mozzarella, whole milk

  • Ken Benzel, BelGioioso Cheese Inc., Denmark, BelGioioso Sharp Provolone Mandarino

  • Ken Carothers, Agropur, Little Chute, String cheese

  • Lake Country Dairy, Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Artisan Extra Aged Asiago

  • Lake County Dairy, Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Artisan Cello Copper Parmesan

  • Matt Henze, Decatur Dairy Inc., Brodhead, Brick

  • Team Arla USA, Arla Foods, Kaukauna, Castello Creamy Havarti

  • Meister Team 1, Meister Cheese, Muscoda, Dill Havarti

  • Lactalis Belmont, Lactalis USA, Belmont, Brie Double Cream President

  • Marieke Gouda, Thorp, Marieke Gouda Young, 2-4 months

  • Marieke Gouda, Thorp, Marieke Gouda Mature, 6-9 months

  • Team Arla USA, Arla Foods, Kaukauna, Castello Chipolte

  • Zachary Henning, Henning Cheese Inc., Kiel, Cheddar Dragon’s Breath

  • Marieke Gouda, Thorp, Marieke Golden (semi-sweet), 2-4 months

  • Lake Country dairy, Schuman cheese, Turtle Lake, black cello pepper and garlic rubbed fontal (semi-sweet)

  • Team Kingston Cheese, Kingston Cheese Cooperative, Cambria, Kingston Creamery Smoked Blue

  • Steve Stettler, Decatur Dairy Inc., Brodhead, Muenster Curd

  • Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth, Ellsworth Hickory Bacon Cheddar Cheese Curds

  • Pine River Prepack Inc., Newton, cold-packed aged Asiago cheese

  • Widmer’s Cheese Cellars Inc., Theresa, Jalapeno Brick Spread

  • Kraft Heinz Beaver Dam, Beaver Dam, Philadelphia Cream Cheese

  • Christopher Gezella, BelGioioso Cheese Inc., Denmark, BelGioioso Crescenza-Stracchino

  • Team Revela, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, Colby, Organic American Cheese – Premium Pasteurized Prepared Cheese (White)

  • Dairyfood USA Inc., Blue Mounds, Naturally Smoked Gouda

  • LaClare Creamery, Malone, original goat cheese

  • LaClare Creamery, Malone, maple bourbon goat cheese

  • Team Hook, Hook’s Cheese Co. Inc., Mineral Point, Little Boy Bluue

  • Kingston Cheese Co-op, Cambria, Breezy Blue

  • Al Bekkum, Nordic Creamery, Westby, red pepper butter

  • Matt Martin, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Labneh (high protein yogurt)

  • Justin Blezeski V&V Supremo Foods, Browntown, Chihuahua with Jalapeno, Shredded Quesadilla Cheese

  • Masters Gallery Foods Inc., Plymouth, 3-State Sharp Shred Blend

  • Pasture Pride Cheese, Cashton, Traditional Juustoleipa

  • Renard’s Rosewood Dairy Team, Rosewood Dairy Inc., Algoma, Renard’s Cheese Savory Morel Leek Spread

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