TILLAMOOK, ORE. – The International Cheese and Dairy Awards presented four gold medals to Tillamook County Creamery Association during the 125^th edition of the dairy show.

Tillamook’s English-Style Sweet Cheddar, Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar, Chive & Onion Farmstyle Cream Cheese Spread and Very Veggie Farmstyle Cream Cheese Spread each earned a gold medal for being the highest-scoring entry in a specific class. The sweet cheddar won in best USA cheddar cheese and the hickory cheddar was tops in naturally smoked cheese. The chive and onion spread scored the highest in soft, semi-soft or cream cheese other than blue, while the vegetable variety secured first place in specialty soft or cream cheese.

"At TCCA, we've been committed to making the best tasting dairy products, made with only the highest quality ingredients, since 1909," said Jill Allen, Tillamook’s director of product excellence, who also served as a judge at the 2022 ICDA event. "It's an honor to have this hard work and commitment recognized by a show as prestigious as the International Cheese and Dairy Awards."

In total for the massive competition, close to 5,500 entries were evaluated by international judges, who took into account each product’s aroma, flavor, texture and visual presentation.

Tillamook also took home a silver medal in the best USA cheddar cheese, extra mature vintage class for its Maker’s Reserve 2015 Extra Sharp White Cheddar, which also picked up a bronze in the vintage cheddar exceeding 18 months class. Plus, Tillamook’s Original Farmstyle Cheese Spread received bronze in the class of cheese spread, any variety.

A complete list of class honorees and trophy winners can be found online at the ICDA’s website.