The winners of the Third Annual American Artisanal Treasure Awards, presented by the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, have been announced. This star studded event was created by Norbert Wabnig, the proprietor of the store, which has been in operation since 1967 and hosted numerous Hollywood A-listers.
“The American Artisanal Treasure Awards is my way of saying thank you to these fine artisans, many of whom are pioneers in their category,” Wabnig says. Each winner received a custom designed cheese cabinet autographed by the judges.
To choose the winners, Wabnig assembled a stellar panel of judges including Evan Kleiman, Chef and Host of KCRW’s “Good Eats;” Hans Goplen, Executive Chef, The Farm of Beverly Hills; Kit Rachlis, Editor in chief, Los Angeles Magazine; Mona Harrington, Chef, Culinary Institute of America; John Larroquette, Actor; Mike Kassar, Fromagier, Spago Beverly Hills; Sharon Palmer, Cheesemaker, Nanny Udderly’s Healthy Family Farms; and Deborah Racine, Public Relations.
The Winners:
• Soft Goat’s Milk: Hoja Santa
Cheesemaker: Paul Lambert, Mozzarella Cheese Company, Texas
• Firm Goat’s Milk: Tequila Abbey
Cheesemaker: Nancy Patton, Haute Goat Creamery, Texas
• Soft Cow’s Milk: Holy Cow
Cheesemaker: Chef John Folse, Bittersweet Plantation, Louisiana
• Washed Rind Cow’s Milk: Winnimere,
Cheesemaker: Mateo Kehler, Jasper Hill Farm, Vermont
• Firm Cow’s Milk: Appalachian
Cheesemaker: Helen Feete, Meadow Creek Dairy, Virginia
• Cow’s Milk Aged Cheddar: Hook’s 12 Year Cheddar
Cheesemaker: Tony & Julie Hook, Hook’s Cheese Company, Wisconsin
• Firm Sheep’s Milk: Pozo Tomme
Cheesemaker: Christine & Jim Maguire, Rinconada Dairy, California
• Blue: Rogue River Blue
Cheesemaker: Cary Bryant & David Gremmels, Rogue Creamery, Oregon