TILLAMOOK, ORE. – A trip to the 128th International Cheese and Dairy Awards (ICDA) in Stafford, UK, proved rewarding for Tillamook County Creamery Association, which collected five gold medals among its 13 awards. 

The farmer-owned dairy cooperative shared that two of its products earned two gold awards apiece, with its Farmers' Collection Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar (best USA cheese any variety, and naturally smoked cheese) and Seriously Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread (soft cheese containing sweet with additives, and specialty soft or cream cheese with additives) finishing first.

Plus, Tillamook’s Brick Cream Cheese, which debuted earlier this year, received first place in the cheese spread, any variety, category, beating out products from both the US and UK.

Jill Allen, Tillamook’s director of product excellence, said the company was proud to be “among the best cheesemakers in the world.”

"For 115 years, TCCA has been committed to making extraordinary dairy, and it's an honor to be recognized at a show as prestigious as the International Cheese and Dairy Awards," Allen said.

Tillamook took home four silver medals: Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread (specialty soft or cream cheese with additives; and soft, semi-soft, or cream cheese with additives, other than blue), Farmers' Collection Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar (naturally smoked, semi-hard cheese) and Brick Cream Cheese (soft, semi-soft, or cream cheese with additives, other than blue).

Products from the Oregon-based dairy manufacturer also received four bronze awards: Very Veggie Cream Cheese Spread (soft cheese containing savory with additives), Maker's Reserve 2019 Extra Sharp White Cheddar (vegetarian cheese, cheddar), Extra Sharp White Cheddar (best USA cheddar, extra mature/vintage) and Original Cream Cheese Spread (best USA soft/semi-soft).

International dairy experts and judges evaluate entries at the ICDA competition, grading products on aroma, flavor, texture and visual presentation. The three highest-scoring entries in a class receive medals.

Organizers said this year’s ICDA field included more than 5,500 entries overall. A complete list of 2024 ICDA winners may be accessed online via the event’s website.