Ohio state fair honors cheesemakers

By Andi Anderson

The 2024 Ohio State Fair Cheese Contest, held at Miceli Dairy Products in Cleveland, Ohio, recognized the state’s top cheesemakers on Thursday, July 18.

The American Dairy Association Mideast, which coordinated the event, announced that Pearl Valley Cheese of Fresno, Ohio, received the overall Grand Champion award for their Swiss cheese. Guggisberg Cheese of Millersburg, Ohio, took the overall Reserve Champion award for their Ziller.

Participation reached an all-time high, with 71 entries from cheesemakers across the state. The winners by classification are as follows:

Swiss Class:

First Place: Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio

Second Place: Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio

Third Place: Guggisberg Cheese, Millersburg, Ohio

Other Swiss Class:

First Place: Guggisberg Cheese, Millersburg, Ohio – Ziller

Second Place: Guggisberg Cheese, Millersburg, Ohio – Rind Swiss

Third Place: Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio – Lacey Baby Swiss

Mild Cheddar Class:

First Place: Middlefield Original Cheese, Middlefield, Ohio

Second Place: Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati, Ohio

Third Place: Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville, Ohio

Aged Cheddar Class:

First Place: Middlefield Original Cheese, Middlefield, Ohio

Second Place: Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati, Ohio

Third Place: Young’s Jersey Dairy, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Surface Mold Bloomy Class:

First Place: Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland, Ohio – Lampworth Porcini

Second Place: Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati, Ohio – Camembert

Third Place: Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland, Ohio – Elmstead Ash Triple Cream

Bacteria Ripened Class:

First Place: Black Radish Creamery, Granville, Ohio – Pious

Second Place: Canal Junction Cheese, Defiance, Ohio – Charloe

Third Place: Black Radish Creamery, Granville, Ohio – Raclette

Spreadable Class:

First Place: Blue Jacket Dairy, Bellefontaine, Ohio – Fromage Blanc

Second Place: Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati, Ohio – Quark

Cheese Curd Class:

First Place: Young’s Jersey Dairy, Yellow Springs, Ohio – Cajun Curd

Second Place: Young’s Jersey Dairy, Yellow Springs, Ohio – Italian Curd

Third Place: Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville, Ohio – Muenster Curd

Open Class – Non-Spicy:

First Place: Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland, Ohio – Brighton Blue

Second Place: Miceli Dairy Products, Cleveland, Ohio – Impastata

Third Place: Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio – Marbled

Open Class – Flavored:

First Place: Middlefield Original Cheese, Middlefield, Ohio – Dill Pickle

Second Place: Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville, Ohio – Garlic and Herb

Third Place: Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati, Ohio – Pimento

Open Class – Spicy:

First Place: Middlefield Original Cheese, Middlefield, Ohio – Pepper Jack

Second Place: Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio – Salsa Jack

Third Place: Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio – Chipotle

Other Mammal Class:

First Place: Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland, Ohio – Shepton Sheep

Second Place: Blue Jacket Dairy, Bellefontaine, Ohio – Herb Chevre

These awards celebrate the dedication and craftsmanship of Ohio's cheesemakers, highlighting the diversity and quality of cheese produced in the state. The Ohio State Fair Cheese Contest remains a prestigious event, bringing recognition to the exceptional work of local dairy artisans.

Photo Credit: ohio-state-fair