Dutch Cheese Wins World Championship in Wisconsin

A small Dutch cheese producer just proved that quality beats quantity on the world stage.

Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, crafted by Cono Kaasmakers in the village of Westbeemster in Noord-Holland, took home the title of best cheese in the world at the annual World Championship Cheese Contest in Wisconsin. The golden wheel scored an impressive 98.68 points out of 100, edging out 3,375 other cheeses from around the globe.

The victory was even sweeter because of how close the competition ran. Just fractions of a point separated the top three finishers, with Swiss cheeses Appenzeller Purple and Alter Fritz claiming second and third place.

"When you score so highly with an international jury, then you know everything is right," said Sjoerd Hiemstra, the cheese master behind the winning creation. He credited the win to careful attention at every step, from the quality of the milk to the aging process that gives the cheese its distinctive character.

The contest, organized by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association since 1957, brings together the best dairy artisans from around the world. This year saw entries from 25 countries and 34 US states, competing across 148 different categories from fresh mozzarella to cream cheese spreads.

The Dutch didn't just take home the grand prize. Other cheesemakers from the Netherlands secured 12 additional "best in class" awards during the three-day competition, showing that the country's centuries-old cheese tradition continues to thrive.

Why This Inspires

This story reminds us that craftsmanship and dedication still matter in our fast-paced world. A small team in a Dutch village, following traditional methods and refusing to cut corners, created something so exceptional that experts from around the world had to recognize it. Their triumph shows that when you commit to excellence in the details, from sourcing quality ingredients to perfecting your process, the results speak for themselves.

In a world that often celebrates the biggest and the fastest, it's refreshing to see the best win out.