The 2015 edition of the World Cheese Awards (WCA) held November 26 in Birmingham, United Kingdom proved once again that American cheese makers know how to make cheese!

The annual competition, organized by the Guild of Fine Foods, gathered over 250 experts from all corners of the globe to judge 2,727 cheeses from over 30 countries. Only 28% of these entries actually received a medal including 129 Golds, 249 Silvers and 322 Bronzes. And only 2% earned a Super Gold medal and a place on the World’s Best Cheese list.

Out of the 21 countries who actually received an award, the United Kingdom and Spain combined brought home 53% of the medals. Holding his own, the United States came in third place with a total of 83 medals beating in their own backyard both Italy and France who are typically the most recognized cheese makers in the world. Italy, in fourth position, trailed the USA with a 14-medal differential while France barely made the top ten with only 12 medals.

The United States also fared well in the Super Gold category coming in second place with eight medals, once again surpassing all major European producers. American cheeses wowed the judges across a wide range of varieties including asiago, brie, blue, cheddar, colby, chihuahua, feta, gouda, gorgonzola, gruyere, mascarpone, mozzarella, parmesan, provolone and ricotta, just to name a few. Cheeses entered were made from cows’ milk as well ewe, goat and mixed milks.

The world champion of this year’s WCA was a gruyere from Switzerland while the Best American Cheese award, which was sponsored by The Artisan Cheese Exchange, went to Jasper Hill Farms for Harbison, a soft-ripened cheese (rounding the company’s total medals count to a lucky 7). Other American cheese makers with medals included Saputo Cheese USA (with 9 awards), Sartori Cheese Company (8), Lactalis American Group and Carr Valley (6 each)—Click here for a full list.

The U.S. cheese industry has demonstrated over the years its skills and passion in crafting wonderful traditional as well as American original cheeses and has earned its place among the best cheese making country in the world!

And you’ve only scraped the surface! To learn more about the U.S. cheese industry and what it has to offer, come and explore the cheese section of this site. You’ll be amazed!

Photo courtesy of Jasper Hill Farm