Arethusa Europa, an aged gouda fromArethusa Farm Dairy in Bantam, Connecticut is named the winner of theU.S. Championship Cheese Contest March 6, 2025 at Resch Expo in Ashwaubenon. PC: Fox 11 Online
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The big cheese from Connecticut wasn’t just “gouda,” it was the best.
Arethusa Europa, an aged gouda from Arethusa Farm Dairy in Bantam, Connecticut won the 2025 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. It was the second consecutive win for the cheese.
The competition, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, was held at Resch Expo in Ashwaubenon.
The winning cheese received a score of 98.98 out of 100. It just beat out St. Malachi Reserve, made by The Farm at Doe Run in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, which scored 98.88 and Cello Organic Copper Kettle Parmesan, made by Lake Country Dairy-Schuman Cheese in Turtle Lake, which scored 98.81.
“The razor-thin margins that separated our Contest finalists speak to the caliber of U.S. cheesemakers’ talent,” WCMA executive director John Umhoefer said in a statement. “Congratulations go to the team at Arethusa Farm Dairy, and praise is in order for all our competitors’ commitment to excellence in the art and science of cheesemaking.”
Cheesemakers from Wisconsin led the competition with 55 best of class gold medals. Vermont cheesemakers won 13 and those from Idaho won 10.
The competition included more than 2,400 entries across 117 classes and 31 states.
Comments