Congratulations are in order for Alto Dairy – there Colby-Jack cheese, entered by Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker, Gregg Palubicki, from Alto Dairy’s Black Creek plant, won its class at the 2008 World Championship Cheese and Butter Contest in Madison, Wis.
The block of Colby-Jack earned a score of 97.75 out of 100 possible points. Alto’s Colby-Jack was also named World Champion at the last contest held in 2006. The World Championship Cheese Contest is the largest international cheese and butter competition in the world. It is a three day event held in Madison, Wis. every other year and is sponsored by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
“Alto Dairy is honored to have received such a prestigious title,” Rich Scheuerman, Alto’s President and CEO. “American-style cheeses such as Alto’s Colby-Jack are very popular among U.S. consumers, and Alto is proud to be recognized again for making the best Colby-Jack in the World.” Colby-Jack is a marbled blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses. Colby-Jack, along with other American-style cheeses such as Cheddar and Brick, account for over 45% of the cheeses consumed in the United States.
This year’s competition set a new record with 1,941 contest entries from 20 different nations. More than 20 tons of cheese and butter was shipped to Madison this year for the contest. Wisconsin dominated the contest; bringing home 27 of the 77 gold medals awarded during the three day contest. Over-all the United States won 46 of the 77 cheese and butter classes at the contest.