TheVermont Cheese Council(VCC), an organization dedicated to the production and advancement of Vermont Cheese, announced that Vermont took home its second consecutive Best in Show first place designation, along with 36 ribbonsfrom 16 cheesemakers at the 31stannual American Cheese Society competition in Sacramento, Calif. earlier this evening. The Best in Show First Place was awarded for Farms for City Kids Foundation/Spring Brook Farm’sTarentaiseReserve cheese.The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation and promotion of farmstead, artisan and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas.Since its founding in 1983, ACS hosts North America’s foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition. This year’s competition included 1,685 entries from 248 companies across North America.
A record number of Vermont cheesemakers – 23 in total – submitted cheeses to be judged at the prestigious competition this year, due in part to the VCC’s new sponsorship program. For the first time in its history, the VCC sponsored some Vermont cheesemakers’ ACS entry fees to support their efforts in showcasing their cheese in a competition setting.
The coveted Best in Show designation, given to a Vermont cheese maker for its second consecutive year, was awarded to Farms for City Kids Foundation/Spring Brook Farm’s Tarentaise Reserve. Tarentaise, named after the French Valley which inspired it, isa semi-hard washed rind cow’s milk cheese aged for up to 12 months in caves. Located in Reading, Spring Brook is part of Farms for City Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides a stimulating outdoor classroom where urban youth explore new dimensions of learning as academics are integrated into everyday farm activities that practice and teach sustainability. Activities include milking the cows and caring for the cheeses at Spring Brook Farm.
“Tonight saw a record win from Vermont at the American Cheese Society Awards,” said Tom Bivins, Vermont Cheese Council executive director. “Sixteen of the 23 cheesemakers who submitted cheeses walked away with at least one ribbon. And for Vermont to take home a Best in Show for the second year in a row, truly clinches our standing of Vermont being home for many of the world’s finest cheeses.”
Winning Cheeses from Vermont
Farms for City Kids Foundation/Spring Brook Farm, Reading:Tarentaise Reserve, first place; Tarentaise, first place; also BEST in Show first place for Tarentaise Reserve.
Big Picture Farm, Townshend: Sonnet, third
Boston Post Dairy,Enosburg Falls: Très Bonne, first place
Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Cabot: Monterey Jack, first place; Cabot Sharp, second place; Farmhouse Reserve, second place; Light Cheddar, third place; Plain Greek Style Yogurt, second place; Salted Butter, second place; Unsalted Butter, third place
Cellars at Jasper Hill, Greensboro: Harbison, firstplace; Alpha Tolman, second place
Consider Bardwell Farm, West Pawlet: Rupert, first
Grafton Village Cheese, Grafton: Shepsog, first place; 2 Year Aged cheddar, third place; Queen of Quality Clothbound Cheddar, first place; Bear Hill, third place; Bull Hill, second place
Lazy Lady Farm, Westfield:La Petite Tomme, third place
Maplebrook Farm, Bennington:Ricotta Alta, second place; Whole Milk Block Feta, second place
Plymouth Artisan Cheese, Plymouth: Red White & Blue, second place
Sage Farm Goat Dairy, Stowe:Belvidere, third place
Shelburne Farms, Shelburne: Farmhouse 6 Month Cheddar, third place
Twig Farm, Cornwall: Mixed Drum, third place
Vermont Creamery, Websterville: Bijou, first place; Bonne Bouche, second place;Coupole, second place; Torus (with Murray’s Cheese), second place; Feta, first place; Cultured Butter with Sea Salt and Maple, second place; Crème Fraiche, third place; Unsalted Cultured Butter, third place
Vermont Farmstead Cheese, S. Woodstock: Alehouse Cheddar, second
von Trapp Farmstead, Waitsfield: Savage, third place
For a comprehensive list of the 2014 American Cheese Society winners, visitCheeseJudging.org.
The state of Vermont, celebrated for its focus on farm-to-table lifestyle and Vermont-made products, including cheese, boasts more cheese companies per capita than any other state in the nation.
The 2013 ACS competition saw 11 Vermont cheesemakers awarded 30 ribbons, including Best of Show first and second place, by Cellars at Jasper Hill and Grafton Village Cheese, respectively.
Source: Stowe, Vt.(July 31, 2014) -- TheVermont Cheese Council.The Vermont Cheese Council is a statewide membership based organization with 43 principal cheese producing members and over 100 associate members. The VCC is committed to promoting the advancement and quality of Vermont cheese through promotion, education and strong peer to peer support. The organization has been in existence since 1992. For more information, please contact: Tom Bivins, Executive Director at[email protected]or call802-451-8564or visit the Vermont Cheese Council website atwww.vtcheese.com.