MADISON, Wis. — Cheesemakers from all over the world are in Madison for the World Championship Cheese Contest.

What You Need To Know

  • The World Championship Cheese Contest takes place in Madison from March 5-7

  • There were 3,302 entries across 142 categories

  • Cheesemakers from 32 U.S. states and 25 countries participated
  • The winner will be announced March 7

For Chris Roelli, a three-time master cheesemaker, it’s another chance to show off his product.

“For us, we don’t really do anything different,” Roelli said. “We’re pulling the same product that we’re showing off of our shelves that we sell to our everyday customers.”

As owner of Roelli Cheese Company in Shullsburg, Roelli has entered this competition for the past ten years. He said he learns something new every year.

“To me, cheese making is an art as much as it is a science,” Roelli said. “So we’re always picking something up, and the judges’ favorite changes, too.”

He said having an international competition of this scale right here in Madison every year helps solidify Wisconsin’s reputation as a leader in all things cheese.

“The quality of the products that are made here in Wisconsin, the quality of the milk overall, the entire infrastructure, whether it be the university side of things, the industry side of things is all here,” Roelli said. “So, it just makes for a better product.”

There are over 3,000 different products up for awards, with cheesemakers attending from all around the U.S. and 25 different countries. This creates an economic ripple effect, as they’re staying at hotels, eating at restaurants and shopping.

Ian Behm, President of cheese-spread company Pine River Pre-Pack in Newton, said there’s nothing more fun than having a bunch of cheeseheads in one place.

“The cheese industry is just full of great characters and people that I love to hang out with and get to see,” he said. “So, this is a good time to bring everybody together and get to see them all in one spot.”

He said it’s a Mecca of good people and good cheese.

“It is something that we pride ourself on here in Wisconsin, and it’s definitely showcasing our agricultural importance in the world and locally for the community and the economy,” Behm said.

While everyone wants to win the top prize, Roelli said the real benefit is sharing ideas and learning new things.

“You’re competing against the world,” he said. “So, it’s not just the people in our backyard. It’s people all around the world. So, if you’re in that conversation, you’re doing pretty well.”

The World Champion will be announced on March 7 at 2 p.m. You can view the livestream here.