Oregon had six first-place winners in the American Cheese Society’s recent annual Judging & Competition, July 19th, Des Moines, IA, and Bandon’s Face Rock Creamery nailed down half of the first-place medals. According to a release, 195 cheesemakers across North and South America participated in the 2023 competition. Face Rock took first-place for its Clothbound Cheddar, Smoked Cheddar, and Peppercorn Harvest Clothbound Cheddar. Clothbound Cheddar was ranked in the Top 15 overall, out of 1,454 cheeses judged. Other Oregon winners were: Salem’s Don Froylan Creamery with two first-place awards for Liliana’s String Cheese and Oaxaca con Chipotle. The North Coast’s Tillamook Creamery won first-place with its Extra Sharp Cheddar. Oregon cheese producers won 18 medals overall. The actual judging took place in May 2023, but winners were announced at the conference in July. Also from Oregon, Second-place: Fromage Blanc, Briar Rose Creamery, Dundee, OR; Queso Oaxaca Don Froylan Creamery, Salem; Tillamook Hickory Smoked Cheddar, Tillamook; Smokey Blue Cheese, Ruge Creamery, Central Point; Truffle Cheddar, Face Rock Creamery, Bandon. Third-place: Face 2 Face Clothbound Cheddar, Face Rock Creamery, Bandon; Tillamook English Style Sweet Cheddar, Tillamook Creamery; Fata Morgana, Briar Rose Creamery, Dundee; Sparkling Cheddar, Walla Walla Cheese Company, Milton-Freewater; Oaxaca con Chipotle, Don Froylan Creamery, Salem; Tillamook Monterey Jack, Tillamook.
