Three Maine cheese makers won four awards at the 2011 American Cheese Society competition held at the ACS Conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada this year. There were 1676 entries this year competing for ribbons in 109 different categories. This is, by far, the largest dairy product competition in North America, and the entrants represent cheese and dairy products that have also won awards around the world.

The four awards won by Guild cheese makers are:

Three Maine cheese makers won four awards at the 2011 American Cheese Society competition held at the ACS Conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada this year. There were 1676 entries this year competing for ribbons in 109 different categories. This is, by far, the largest dairy product competition in North America, and the entrants represent cheese and dairy products that have also won awards around the world.

The four awards given to Guild cheese makers are:

• American Made / International Style: Open Category Cow’s Milk — 3rd Place to Hahn’s End, Phippsburg
• Blue Veined Made with Cow’s Milk with Rind or External Coating — 2nd Place to Spring Day Creamery, Durham
• Yogurts, Plain, Made with Sheep’s Milk — 3rd Place to Appleton Creamery
• Aged Goat’s Milk Cheese: Open Category — 3rd Place to Appleton Creamery

“Maine produces some of the best milk in the world,” said Eric Rector, President of the Maine Cheese Guild in response to the announcement of these awards. “So it’s not a surprise that year after year, Maine cheese makers are recognized for their outstanding products at major competitions such as that conducted by the American Cheese Society.”

Rector also pointed out that “the support given to the Guild every year by its members, including it’s Sponsoring Partners, make it possible for us to bring world-class cheese making instructors to Maine to continue to improve our skills, as well as to help Maine cheese makers attend important conferences like ACS. This year the Guild helped send four cheese makers to the ACS Conference in Montreal where they were able to learn from and connect with the best in the world. We would like to thank all our supporters for their contribution to this kind of recognition.”

Congratulations to our three Guild winners in 2011!

The Maine Cheese Guild is sponsored by its members, as well as by Five Islands Farm, Treats of Maine, and Turner Farm.