MADISON, WIS. – The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) announced the upcoming 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest will be open to the public during preliminary judging rounds, with the eventual announcement of the overall winner set to be streamed live online.

The judging sessions open to the public at Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison, Wis., are set for March 5 and 6. The livestream of the announcement of the top 20 cheeses and the world champion will follow on March 7 at 2 p.m. CT.

“It's an honor to offer this opportunity for the world’s cheese community to learn about and celebrate the craftsmanship and passion behind the products they know and love,” said WCMA contest director Kirsten Strohmenger. “The contest also offers dairy manufacturers and processors a rare opportunity to get expert feedback on their products and achieve international recognition.”

The contest deadline for submitting entries is Jan. 26. 

WCMA has hosted the World Championship Cheese Contest since 1957. At the most recent edition of the competition in 2022, Gourmino Le Gruyère, made by Michael Spycher of Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus in Bern, Switzerland, won the top honor with a score of 98.423.

Additional information on the contest is available online at the competition’s website.