WATERLOO, Wis. In the recent World Cheese Awards, known as the worlds largest cheese competition, Mascarpone from Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese gained exclusive status on an international stage when it was awarded a coveted Gold Medal.
Cheesemakers in 34 countries submitted nearly 2,500 entries, making this event one of the most cosmopolitan in the cheese industry. The cheeses were tasted and rated by over 150 judges from 24 countries, including Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and the United States.
After the first round of judging, the most highly ranked cheeses went through a second round of tasting by a supreme jury of 13 cheese experts from 10 countries. From the original field of 2,440 entries, the judges awarded Gold Medals to just 140 cheeses including Crave Brothers Mascarpone.
The World Cheese Award competition, which is sponsored annually by the Guild of Fine Food, a British trade organization, was held on October 1st in the Canary Islands, off the coast of northern Africa. It was only the second time in the Guilds 21-year history that the contest was held outside Britain.
Mascarpone — a fresh, creamy and sweet cheese of Italian origin — was one of the first varieties produced by Crave Brothers when the family began producing their farmstead cheeses in 2002, and it has consistently won awards at state, national and international competitions. Because Mascarpone has a smooth texture and rich taste it is used mainly in desserts, but is also an excellent ingredient in savory dishes such as dips, sauces and soups.
About Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC: Brothers Charles, George, Thomas and Mark Crave and their families jointly operate a showplace dairy farm in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Seeking to add value to the milk produced by their 1,000 productive Holsteins, the Craves decided to make their own cheese, with the farms fresh, pure milk pumped directly into the cheese plant. Since regular production began in 2002, the Craves have produced a top-quality selection of artisan cheeses, including Mascarpone, Fresh Mozzarella, Oaxaca,Farmers Rope String Cheese, and European-style Les Frres and its little brother, Petit Frre.www.cravecheese.com