Local Cheese Makers Place at the World Championship Cheese Contest

Friday, March 6th, 2026 -- 11:01 AM

(Jelissa Burns, Appleton Post-Crescent) The winner and two runner ups of the World Championship Cheese Contest, held in Madison from March 3 through 5, have been announced.

According to Jelissa Burns with the Appleton Post-Crescent, a total of 25 countries and 34 U.S. states and territories were represented in the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest, with entries submitted across 148 classes.

Although no Wisconsin companies placed in the world champion category, the state led the competition with the most first place awards. Wisconsinites took home 45 first-place awards followed by New York with eight and Vermont with seven.

These Wisconsin companies placed Best of Class in the following:

• Nasonville Dairy. Inc. of Marshfield for marbled curd cheese
• Nasonville Dairy Inc. of Marshfield for feta
• Marieke Gouda of Thorp for Gouda−flavored
• Marieke Gouda of Thorp for open class: semi-soft cheeses 
• Nasonville Dairy, Inc. of Curtiss for open class: cheese curds−flavored

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.