SACRAMENTO — The 2017 California State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition winners have been announced. A panel of twelve qualified judges tasted and evaluated 127 California cheeses on April 19, 2017 at Cal Expo. For the second year in a row, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company took the Best of Show – Cow’s Milk with their Bay Blue. Best of Show – Other Milk was awarded to Pennyroyal Farm for their Reserve Boont Corners.
The 20 California cheese companies who entered the competition range from small artisan producers to large-scale production, but for this competition it’s all about the product. The cheeses are each evaluated for Appearance, Aroma, Texture, and Taste. Cheese Judges are selected from respected cheese merchants, writers, promoters, and educators. A complete list of the award-winning cheeses can be found here.
The California State Fair will recognize Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company and Pennyroyal Farm at a special press event on the steps of the State Capitol on June 22. They will join the Best of Show winners from the Fair’s Commercial Wine, Beer and Extra Virgin Olive Oil competitions. The Best of California award-winners are invited to sample their cheese at the Best of California State Fair Gala on June 22, 2017. Tickets can be purchased at castatefair.org/gala.
There will also be a chance to taste the top cheeses at the California State Fair. A special “Cheese Shoppe” sampling center and exhibit will be located in the area surrounding the Save Mart California’s Kitchen exhibit in Building B with the goal of educating Fair guests about California Cheese. There will be a display of award-winning cheese and a variety of California Cheese producers who will be sampling their cheeses, free to State Fair visitors. The best way for consumers to truly appreciate high-quality cheese is to taste one.
The 2017 California State Fair runs July 14-30. For a full list of competition results, visit the California State Fair website at www.castatefair.org/participate/competitions/
–California State Fair
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