CUT THIS. Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery was one of the many Wisconsin cheesemakers who brought their best to the World Championship Cheese Contest, pulling away with several awards. (Background photo by Andy Manis)

The biennial World Championship Cheese Contest, the world’s premier technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition, returned for its 35th year earlier this spring in Madison. Some familiar names competed, including Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, which took home several awards including Best Of Class for Flavored Cheese Curds.

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is based in Ellsworth with retail locations in Ellsworth and Menomonie (lucky us!), its cheesy products enjoyed locally and throughout the nation.

With craftsmanship honed over the past 100-plus years, Ellsworth Creamery’s Hickory Bacon Cheddar Cheese Curd was crowned Best of Class and its Taco Cheddar Cheese Curds earning second place in the Flavored Cheese Curds category. In the Pasteurized Process Cheese category, the creamery’s Ellsworth White EZ Melt took home third place.

Nick Streble (left), assistant director of plant operations in New London, and Paul Bauer (right), CEO/Manager. Submitted image.

“Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery’s recent recognition is made possible by our farmer owners and employees dedicated to creating exceptional cheese products,” said Paul Bauer, CEO and general manager of the creamery. “We’re proud that our products were recognized once again for their excellence.”

Of course, more Wisconsinites put their best cheese forward for the World Championship, including Marieke Gouda of Thorp, which took home several awards, including Best of Class in Young Gouda (less than four months) and Mature Gouda (6-9 months), among others; Associated Milk Producers Inc. of Blair, taking home second place in the Aged Cheddar (1-2 years) category; Schuman Cheese's Lake Country Diary of Turtle Lake, crowned both Best of Class and second place in the Parmesan category as well as Best of Class in the Asiago category, among others.

One way to celebrate Dairy Month this June is to buy a treasure chest’s worth of goods from local cheesemakers, like the ones listed above. Congratulations to Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and every other Wisconsin cheesemaker makin’ us proud!

See the full list of award winners and learn more about the World Championship Cheese Contest online • Visit Ellsworth Creamery’s Menomonie retail location at 3001 County Road B, open daily