Rochester area cheesemakers to compete in U.S. Championship Cheese Contest

US Championship Cheese Contest wheel of cheese and curds from 2019
US Championship Cheese Contest wheel of cheese and curds from 2019(WBAY)
Published: Feb. 9, 2023 at 11:23 AM CST
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MADISON, Wis. (KTTC) – Rochester area cheesemakers are set to compete for the coveted title of United States Champion at the 2023 United States Championship Cheese Contest®.

Two businesses have submitted entries to be evaluated Feb. 21-23 at Resch Expo in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Their products are among a total of 2,249 entries across 113 classes of dairy products.

The following businesses are set to compete among dairy processors from 35 U.S. states:

  • Dairy Farmers of America of Zumbrota, Minnesota
  • Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. of Faribault and Rochester, Minnesota

“This nationally renowned competition is an opportunity for dairy manufacturers across the country to improve their products, reach new customers – and achieve one of the industry’s highest levels of prestige.”

Kirsten Strohmenger, Contest Manager

Preliminary rounds of judging are open for public observation on Tuesday, Feb. 21 and Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Attendance is free, and samples will be available.

The announcement of the 2023 U.S. Champion will be livestreamed on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. (CT) here.

Hosted biennially by Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) since 1981, the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is the nation’s premier cheese, butter, yogurt, and dry dairy ingredient competition.