Wisconsin’s Cheesemaking Excellence Celebrated at State Fair
Source: DairyNews.today
Wisconsin's renowned cheesemaking tradition took center stage at the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Products Contest and Auction, an event that annually celebrates the innovation, passion, and dedication of the state's dairy artisans. This year, the coveted title of Grand Master Cheesemaker was awarded to Gary Gosda from Lake Country Dairy/Schuman Cheese in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, for their Cello Maple Mascarpone.
"We participate in competitions across the nation and around the world, but winning here in Wisconsin, against the best of the best, is the greatest compliment," said Gosda, reflecting on the achievement.
Lake Country Dairy/Schuman Cheese, known for their Italian-style cheeses, introduced the award-winning Cello Maple Mascarpone just nine months before its recognition at the fair. The contest saw over 400 locally produced dairy products vying for top honors, demonstrating the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that Wisconsin's dairy industry is known for. Categories included artisanal cheeses, butter, yogurt, sour cream, milk, and custard, with products undergoing rigorous evaluation across more than 50 classes.
"The Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Products Contest and Auction is a tribute to our state's rich dairy heritage and the skill of our cheesemakers," said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. "This event not only celebrates the outstanding products they create but also provides a platform for the Wisconsin community to support local dairy farmers and businesses."
The competition saw Klondike Cheese Company of Monroe, WI, taking home 11 awards in the cow-milk cheese category, followed by Decatur Dairy Inc. with 10 awards, and Lake Country Dairy/Schuman Cheese with nine. Agropur Inc. earned seven awards, and The Artisan Cheese Exchange, Ltd. secured five. A complete list of award-winning cheeses from the competition can be found at wsfdairypromo.org.
In addition to the Grand Master Cheesemaker award, the Wisconsin State Fair crowned champions in various dairy categories:
2024 Grand Champion Butter: Nordic Creamery unsalted butter by Nordic Creamery of Westby
2024 Grand Champion Yogurt: Odyssey Labneh by Klondike Cheese Co of Monroe
2024 Grand Champion Sour Cream: Odyssey Reduced Fat Mediterranean Feta Dip by Klondike Cheese Co of Monroe
2024 Grand Champion Milk: 2% Fluid White Milk by Lamers Dairy of Appleton
2024 Grand Champion Custard: Bananarama by Dairyland Old Fashioned Hamburgers of Milwaukee
These distinguished champions, along with other class winners, were showcased and auctioned at a special event during the Wisconsin State Fair, with proceeds supporting dairy scholarships and promotional efforts.
Image: Proudly Wisconsin Cheese (PRNewsfoto/Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin)
Lake Country Dairy/Schuman Cheese, known for their Italian-style cheeses, introduced the award-winning Cello Maple Mascarpone just nine months before its recognition at the fair. The contest saw over 400 locally produced dairy products vying for top honors, demonstrating the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that Wisconsin's dairy industry is known for. Categories included artisanal cheeses, butter, yogurt, sour cream, milk, and custard, with products undergoing rigorous evaluation across more than 50 classes.
"The Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Products Contest and Auction is a tribute to our state's rich dairy heritage and the skill of our cheesemakers," said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. "This event not only celebrates the outstanding products they create but also provides a platform for the Wisconsin community to support local dairy farmers and businesses."
The competition saw Klondike Cheese Company of Monroe, WI, taking home 11 awards in the cow-milk cheese category, followed by Decatur Dairy Inc. with 10 awards, and Lake Country Dairy/Schuman Cheese with nine. Agropur Inc. earned seven awards, and The Artisan Cheese Exchange, Ltd. secured five. A complete list of award-winning cheeses from the competition can be found at wsfdairypromo.org.
In addition to the Grand Master Cheesemaker award, the Wisconsin State Fair crowned champions in various dairy categories:
2024 Grand Champion Butter: Nordic Creamery unsalted butter by Nordic Creamery of Westby
2024 Grand Champion Yogurt: Odyssey Labneh by Klondike Cheese Co of Monroe
2024 Grand Champion Sour Cream: Odyssey Reduced Fat Mediterranean Feta Dip by Klondike Cheese Co of Monroe
2024 Grand Champion Milk: 2% Fluid White Milk by Lamers Dairy of Appleton
2024 Grand Champion Custard: Bananarama by Dairyland Old Fashioned Hamburgers of Milwaukee
These distinguished champions, along with other class winners, were showcased and auctioned at a special event during the Wisconsin State Fair, with proceeds supporting dairy scholarships and promotional efforts.
About Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin: Funded by Wisconsin dairy farmers, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing and promoting the state’s world-class dairy products.
About Wisconsin Cheese: With a cheesemaking tradition that dates back over 150 years, Wisconsin’s 1,200 cheesemakers, many of whom are third- and fourth-generation, continue to blend old-world practices with modern innovations.
Image: Proudly Wisconsin Cheese (PRNewsfoto/Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin)
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