The 2008 American Cheese Society Conference in Chicago is winding down, and the winner's have been announced. The cheese awarded the coveted Best of Show title is Carr Valley Cheese Company's Snow White Goat Cheddar, made in Wisconsin by cheesemaker Sid Cook. Further proof of Cook's talent is that Carr Valley's Cave Aged Marisa, an aged sheep's milk cheese with a natural rind, was named third runner-up. Second runner-up for the title is Grayson, a raw cow's milk cheese with a washed rind, made by Meadow Creek Dairy in Virginia.
Best in Show and the runners-up are chosen from the first place winners of more than 70 categories at the conference. This year, 1,149 cheeses and dairy products (such as yogurt and creme fraiche) were entered from 181 producers from 30 states and 3 Canadian provinces. There are fifteen technical judges evaluating how well the cheese is made, and fifteen aesthetic judges evaluating flavor, aroma, texture.
In the weeks following the American Cheese Society Conference, many cheese store try to stock the winners, so make sure to ask for them when you shop for cheese!
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