The U.S. Dairy Pavilion at this year’s Gulfood included 22 USDEC members featuring high-quality U.S. dairy ingredients and versatile U.S. cheeses that meet the nutrition and taste needs of consumers around the world. Positioned as the world’s largest annual food, beverage and hospitality trade show, Gulfood 2019 in Dubai helped the more than 98,000 attendees from 193 countries learn about U.S. Dairy’s highly respected, deep product portfolio.

US cheesemakers continue to receive global recognition, winning 89 medals in a prestigious international competition. In fact, U.S. cheeses rank third overall in total medal counts since 2011, only behind Spain and UK and ahead of better known cheese making countries like France and Italy.

The 2018 edition of the World Cheese Awards were held this month in Bergen, Norway. A record-breaking 3,500 cheeses from six continents were entered. An international panel of 230 experts from 29 nations ranked U.S. cheeses among the best in the world.

The global appetite for cheese is expanding. Cheese consumption accounts for a reported 13% of global dairy consumption and is increasing at a rate of approximately 2% each year.¹ The U.S. dairy industry is adequately prepared for this demand thanks to  its rising, year-round, milk production capacity and ever-expanding portfolio of more than 600 cheese types. As an integral part of many regional and national cuisines, U.S. cheese is key to successful offerings that meet the health and taste needs of consumers.

The holidays are a chance to add new menu offerings that encourage flavor exploration and conversation. A cheese plate pairs traditional delicacies with a wide-range of flavor profiles for an adventurous seasonal dish. The main ingredient is outstanding-quality specialty cheeses from the United States, which offer innovative flavors for an impressive appetizer, entrée or dessert. Here are a few pairings we hope will help you successfully create a U.S. cheese plate to expand your menu in time for the holidays.

Foodservice trends feature upgraded menu offerings thanks to an increased desire for bold-flavor cheeses and superior dining experiences. This expanded consumer appreciation of cheese is being addressed with inspiring new culinary creations and U.S. cheeses has more to offer than ever before with outstanding quality and variety.