CABOT, Vt. — The American Cheese Society (ACS) announced the 2011 Judging & Competition winners and Cabot Creamery Cooperative had another strong showing. During the ACS's 28th Annual Conference, held this year in Montreal, Canada, Cabot won five ribbons for its world-class cheddar, cultured products and butter.
Cabot 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar earned a red ribbon as top-scoring Light Cheddar and top entry from the U.S. in the broad category of "Light/Lite & Reduced Fat Cheeses." Cabot Tuscan Cheddar and Cabot Vintage Choice were winners, Tuscan taking second place for the third consecutive year while Vintage Choice claimed a third place ribbon. Adding to the impressive totals, Cabot Creme Fraiche and Cabot Unsalted Butter each ribboned with solid third place awards in their respective categories.
This year's five ribbons add to the Vermont cheesemaker's remarkable total of 74 awards since 2000. The majority of those awards (47 ribbons) have been received in just the past five years. Even more remarkable is that during the past dozen years, Cabot has received 24 blue ribbons as well as the "Best Of Show" honor for Cabot Clothbound Cheddar (2006).
This year's competition was the first-ever American Cheese Society event held outside the U.S. It was also the continent's largest cheese competition ever with 258 companies submitting a record 1,676 entries. Scoring was highly scrutinized by the international panel of judges, who awarded only 87 blue ribbons across 107 categories this year. ACS requires a minimum score of 93 out of a possible 100 points to award a 1st place blue ribbon.
"We are extremely proud of our results at this premier competition for North America's specialty and artisan cheeses," said Cabot president, Dr. Rich Stammer. "The awards highlight our belief that Cabot's longstanding tradition of award-winning dairy products is a direct result of the alchemy of superior milk from our dairy farm families and skilled craftsmanship in the art of cheesemaking from our talented employees."
In addition to Cabot's outstanding results, Cabot's Empire State sister brand, McCadam Cheese, was awarded a blue ribbon for McCadam Muenster. McCadam's win was the first blue ribbon awarded to a Muenster since Brick Muenster was designated a separate product category last year. Previously, Muensters competed in the American Originals, Open Class.
ABOUT CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE
Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919, and we make a full line of cheeses, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, and butter. Best known as makers of "The World's Best Cheddar," Cabot is owned by 1275 dairy farm families located throughout New England and upstate New York. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, visit: http://www.cabotcheese.coop
Contact: Bob Schiers (888) 214.9444 or bschiers@cabotcheese.coop
Source: Cabot Creamery Cooperative