WCMA to Host Online Contest Celebration March 2 & 3

Join Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) for an online celebration of the World and U.S. Championship Cheese Contests, with free, original programming set to stream on WorldChampionCheese.org next week.

“For more than six decades, the World and U.S. Championship Cheese Contests have raised the bar for excellence in dairy processing, and connected our industry’s brightest, most creative cheesemakers,” said John Umhoefer, Executive Director of WCMA, the Contests’ host organization.  “That’s worthy of a celebration, and we invite you join us.”

On Tuesday, March 2, WCMA looks back on the tradition of excellence set by our Contests, and looks forward, with excitement, to what's next for these competitions. Umhoefer will moderate a lively, insightful conversation with Contest Chief Judge Jim Mueller and Contest Chief Judge Emereti Bill Schlinsog and Bob Aschebrock.

Also on March 2, dive into the minds of cheese judges. Jill Allen of Tillamook Creamery and Craig Gile of Cabot Cheese, veteran judges from World and U.S. competitions, detail the challenges - and joys - of evaluating world-class cheddars. Gurth Pretty of Lakeview Cheese and Chad Galer of Dairy Management Inc., rising stars in the expert judging community, bring new knowledge and laughs, as they walk through cheese curd judging methods. Legendary experts John Jaeggi and Dean Sommer of the Center for Dairy Research venture beneath the smear, to show us their evaluation process for ripened soft cheeses. And valued specialists Mariana Marques de Almeida of Ms. J & Co., also an Assistant Chief Judge, and Dominique Delugeau of Saputo Cheese explain how you can find a gold medal-worthy Manchego.

Then, on Wednesday, March 3, meet ten of the world's premiere cheesemakers, as WCMA unveils the exciting line-up for the Championship Cheese Auction, set for Wednesday, April 7 at CheeseExpo Global Online.

“We’ve had so much fun reconnecting with our Champions, in preparation for our online Contest celebration, and we know you will, too,” said Kirsten Strohmenger, WCMA Events Manager.

Programs will stream live both days at 3 p.m. (CT), with viewers invited to join in live chat on our World Championship Cheese Contest Facebook page during each broadcast. Programs will also be available to stream on-demand at WorldChampionCheese.org following their original broadcast.