Mozzarella and Ricotta - Nov. 6
Basics of Home Cheesemaking- Two Day Workshop - Nov. 13 & 14
Cheesy Christmas/Holiday Gifts - Dec. 12
We had another fantastic Maine Cheese Festival! Thanks to all who attended and to our volunteers and sponsors. We make the cheese, you make it happen.
Maine Cheese Awards Organized and Sponsored by Maine Tasting Center
2024 AWARDS WINNERS
Traditional Fresh Cheese – Soft/Spreadable Goat:
First Place - Fuzzy Udder - Plain Chevre
Second Place - Kennebec Cheesery - Classic Chevre
Third Place - Noisy Acres - Chevre - Classic Plain
Traditional Fresh Cheese – Soft/Spreadable: Other Milks (Cow, Sheep, Buffalo, exotics or mixed milk recipes that include Goat):
First Place - York Hill - Dairy Duet - Plain
Second Place - Fuzzy Udder - Vache
Third Place - Springdale Farm - Fresh Cream Cheese
Flavored Fresh Cheese – Same as above, but with added elements such as vegetables, herbs/spices or smoke. Any milk type or combination:
First Place - York Hill - Dairy Duet - Green Peppercorn & Nutmeg
Second Place - Kennebec Cheesery - Chevre in Oil with Herbs de Provence
Third Place - Noisy Acres - Chevre in Olive Oil Marinade
Traditional Fresh Cheese - Firm (Feta, Halloumi, Mozzarella, Curds, etc.) Flavored or Traditional:
First Place - Creamy Acres - Mozzarella
Second Place - Crooked Face - Cheese Curds - Marinated
Third Place - Fuzzy Udder - Feta
Bloomy Rind:
First Place - York Hill - Ash
Second Place - Spring Day Creamery - Evangeline
Third Place - Winter Hill Farm - Tide Line
Washed Rind:
First Place - Fuzzy Udder - Cyclone
Second Place - ennebec Cheesery - Quaker Hill
Third Place - Balfour Farm - Town Square
Traditional Aged Cheese – Semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses, pressed and aged, such as cheddar, jack, gouda, mountain cheeses, and tommes. Any milk:
First Place - Pineland Farms - 48 month Cheddar
Second Place - Pineland Farms - 24 month Cheddar
Third Place - Josh Pond - Meddybemps Reserve
Flavored Aged Cheese - Same as above, but with added elements such as vegetables, herbs/spices or smoke. Any milk:
First Place - Oaklands Farm - Roxanne
(Tied) Second Place - Pumpkin Vine - Pandora
(Tied) Second Place - Pineland Farms - Smoked Cheddar
Blue Cheese – Internal, external or both. Any milk:
First Place - Fuzzy Udder - Polar Vortex
Second Place - Winter Hill Farm - Bradbury Mountain Blue
Third Place - Spring Day Creamery - Spring Day Blues
BEST IN SHOW:
York Hill - Dairy Duet - Green Peppercorn & Nutmeg
Download a pdf list of 2024 Cheese Award Winners here.
We Thank These 2024 Maine Chesse Festival Sponsors for another great year, your support makes it happen.
The Guild’s mission is to support and encourage the Maine cheesemaking community. We will do this through development of a collective voice to promote Maine cheese and cheesemakers, educate cheese makers and consumers, coordinate resources and share the joy and art of regional cheeses.
We were a nonprofit membership organization founded in 2003 by a group of pioneer Maine cheesemakers seeking to share knowledge, enjoy camaraderie and promote Maine cheese. From those beginnings we have grown greatly and now have a membership participation hub and and public directory online. Our activities include:
• Sponsor cheesemaking and industry related workshops and popup events.
• Discussion Forums
• Monthly Big Cheese Newsletter
• The Eat Maine Cheese Map
• Conduct several membership meetings per year and a holiday gathering in December
• Participate in Maine's Maine’s Agriculture Trade Show
• Engage in market research and sponsor food safety seminars•
• The Maine Cheese Festival in September ( our major fundraising event)
• Maine Open Creamery Day in October
• More...
Learn more about our organization, Officers and Board of Directors here.
We offer three types of membership:
• Principal - These are cheesemakers and retailers of Maine cheese
• Enthusiast - Folks who are interested in Maine cheese and cheesemaking
• Supporting Partner - Generally businesses and individuals who support us financially and receive recognition for doing so.
• Apply to join the Guild here.