Tuesday through Thursday, Madison hosts the World Championship Cheese Contest. You can go one of two ways!
Monona Terrace hosts this delicious event this year, like it did in 2016 when a U.S. cheesemaker won for the first time since 1988 (Emmi Roth in Monroe, in case you were curious.) This cheesy-amazing event spans three days and serves as a cheese lover’s paradise. Cheesemakers from all over the world descend on Madison to judge over 3,000 cheeses, butters, and yogurts.
Tasty samples (below) are everywhere as Wisconsin goes up against the world's best cheeses!
It all starts today (Tuesday) from 10am-4pm, when preliminary judging rounds begin. This is open to the public for FREE. You can enjoy some samples and watch the judges do their thing. The open-to-the-public judging rounds continue Wednesday from 9am-4pm (when the roads will be better) before the big event on Thursday.
Thursday night is the Cheese Champion event. This ticketed event ($25, in advance) lets you sample more than 50 of the best cheeses from around the world. International cheese experts will be on hand to show you the intracicies of of cheese evaluation, and of course you can pair cheeses with other foods and craft beers that will be available. The event climaxes with the crowning of the World Champion Cheesemaker, with a big hullabaloo and then everybody goes out on the town.
I went in 2016, and it was a blast. I feel I should share this year's opportunity with you!
How's THIS for a massive cheese tower??