World Cheese Awards to judge entries from record-breaking 45 countries

This year’s World Cheese Awards is set to be bigger and more international than ever before, with entries from 45 different countries confirmed for the competition, which is due to take place in Oviedo, Spain on Wednesday 3 November, as part of the Asturias Paraíso Natural International Cheese Festival 2021.

Cheese from India, Guatemala, Japan, Colombia, Israel and Ukraine will line-up alongside wheels and wedges from the most celebrated cheesemaking nations in the world, as over 4,000 entries are blind-tasted in a single day at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos. Bronze, Silver, Gold and Super Gold awards will be decided during the morning session, before the Top 16 are debated in front of a live audience to find this year’s World Champion Cheese.

The 33rd edition of the World Cheese Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, will be the headline event at this year’s International Cheese Festival, run by the Instituto del Queso in partnership with the Principality of Asturias and the City Council of Oviedo. This consumer and trade event will include an international cheese market, an exhibition showcasing the best food and drink from Asturias, a Gastro Cheese Comedy line-up and a diverse schedule of forums and presentations that will consider the past, present and future of cheese.

Together, the Guild of Fine Food and the Instituto del Queso will stage one of the largest cheese events the world has ever seen, as the international cheese community reunites following a period defined by uncertainty, resilience and innovation.

World Cheese Awards 2021 in numbers:

  • 4,079 entries

  • 7.2% increase in entries from 2019

  • Entries representing 45 countries from six continents

  • 825 companies taking part

  • 230 judges from over 35 nations

  • 10,000 visitors

  • 100 exhibitors

The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, sponsors of World Cheese Awards 2021, will also be running an online auction of a 21-year-old wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. The wheel will be on show at the World Cheese Awards and the auction will be live from 27 October - 6 November at https://givergy.uk/parmigianoreggiano2021, with all proceeds donated to Parmigiano Reggiano’s chosen solidarity projects.

The World Cheese Awards will take place on Wednesday 3 November, forming part of the Asturias Paraíso Natural International Cheese Festival 2021, which will run from Wednesday 3 – Saturday 6 November at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos in Oviedo, Spain.

For more information about the World Cheese Awards, visit www.gff.co.uk/wca.

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