This is the latest of several releases I’ve posted on U.S. cheesemakers shining in competitions, both domestic and internationally. It leads me to believe – we have some pretty amazing cheesemakers in this country, and that’s something to be mighty proud of! Here, we learn more about the master craftsmen from Wisconsin.
At the March 2007 United States Championship Cheese Contest, the nation’s largest and toughest technical cheesemaking competition, Wisconsin’s Master Cheesemakers were well represented among top-tier winners. These veteran craftsmen have completed the rigorous three-year Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker® training program and, as a result, routinely make a strong showing in national and international competitions.
In total, 12 Wisconsin Masters won 22 awards, and cheeses produced by or with the involvement of Master Cheesemakers won 15 percent of all Best of Class medals at the contest. Sponsored biennially by the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association, the event this year drew a record 1,158 entries from all across the country.
Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers winning top awards at the 2007 United States Championship Cheese Contest were:
* Ron Buholzer, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe: Best of Class, Muenster
* Sid Cook, Carr Valley Cheese, La Valle: Best of Class, Vergin Pine Native Sheep; Bronze Award, Cranberry-Chipotle Cheddar; Bronze Award, Applewood Smoked Cheddar; Bronze Award, Snow White Goat; Bronze Award, Black Sheep Truffle; Bronze Award, Cocoa Cardona; Bronze Award, Cave Aged Marisa
* Gary Grossen, Babcock Dairy Plant, Madison: Best of Class, Gouda
* Kerry Henning, Henning’s Cheese, Kiel: Best of Class, Heritage Colby; Best of Class, Tomato Basil Cheddar
* Roger Krohn, Trega Foods, Luxemburg: Bronze Award, Low-Moisture Whole-Milk Mozzarella
* Randy La Grander, La Grander’s Hillside Dairy, Inc., Stanley*: Bronze Award, Colby Longhorn; Bronze Award, Monterey Jack Longhorn
* Terry Lensmire, Trega Foods, Luxemburg: Best of Class, Part-Skim Mozzarella; Best of Class, Provolone
* Jake Niffenegger, Lactalis USA, Belmont*: Bronze Award, Brie
* Myron Olson, Chalet Cheese Co-op, Monroe: Best of Class, Limburger
* Daniel Stearns, Trega Foods, Weyauwega: Best of Class, Mild Cheddar
* Steve Stettler, Decatur Dairy, Brodhead: Bronze Award, Havarti
* Joe Widmer, Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, Theresa*: Bronze Award, Washed-Rind Brick Cheese Cold Pack
* Bob Wills, Cedar Grove Cheese, Plain*: Bronze Award, Pesto Cheddar
* Indicates Masters who participated on winning cheesemaking teams.