Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE United States CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST?
The United States Championship Cheese Contest® is the nation’s premier technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition. Held biennially since 1981, 2025 marks the 22nd edition, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
When is the next U.S. Contest?
The next United States Championship Cheese Contest will be held March 4-6, 2025.
When will Entry INformation Be Available?
Entry information will be available in October 2024.
When can I enter?
Entry will open for the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest in November 2024.
When is the Entry Deadline?
Early-Rate Deadline: December 6, 2024
Final Entry Deadline: January 31, 2025
How do I enter?
MyEntries© is the online entry system of the Championship Cheese Contests. MyEntries includes online entry; permanent storage of each year’s entry data; product scores and scoresheets.
Can I attend?
The Contest judging is open for free public viewing during preliminary rounds of judging on Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5.
How do I watch the Champion Announcement?
Watch the announcement of the 2025 United States Champion on our website on March 6, 2025.
Fans can also follow along on social media for exclusive interviews with judges and competitors, a behind-the-scenes look with industry insiders, and much more on the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest Facebook page.
When do I ship my products?
Entries need to arrive by February 19, 2025. (Fresh products are due by February 26).
Entries are sent to WOW Logistics Warehouse in Little Chute, Wisconsin.
Shipment details and instructions will be sent to entrants once entry closes.
MyEntries users have auto-filled shipping tags with entry product information.
Find the “Print Your Shipping Tags” button.
Note: each entry should be sent in its own box with a shipping/identification tag on the outside and another on the inside.
Do I send with or without retail labels?
Entrants may send products in their original packaging, with or without labels. Evaluations are objective; labels are not considered in the evaluation.
How does the judging work?
Entries are evaluated by a team of skilled technical judges from across the nation. Starting from a maximum possible 100 points, deductions are made for various defects found by each judge.
Defects are noted in the areas of flavor, body and texture, salt, color, finish, packaging, and other appropriate attributes. A Gold medal, Silver medal and Bronze medal are awarded to the three highest-scoring entries in each class.
How do I access my scoresheets?
Scoresheets are available for entrants in their secure MyEntries account as soon as judging is complete.
Entrants can login to their account and click on “View Your Results and Scoresheets”.
A list will show with all of their entries and each will show a link to “View Scoresheets”. They can then view and print each judge’s scoresheet by selecting “Scoresheet 1” or “Scoresheet 2”.
If I win, how do I get my award?
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association will send out individual emails to winners with information on receiving award plaques and ribbons.