For American-made Cheeses
About the ACS Judging & Competition
The American Cheese Society Judging & Competition, a technical and aesthetic evaluation of American-made cheeses, takes place in June each year. The winners are then announced and celebrated at the Awards Ceremony held during the ACS Annual Conference. By hosting the Judging & Competition, ACS shines the spotlight on American cheesemakers by showcasing their talents and work as leaders within the industry, both for their excellent cheesemaking and commitment to food safety.
ACS celebrates and respects the craft of every cheesemaker who enters the ACS Judging & Competition. It is your individual efforts that continue to collectively advance the quality and character of American cheeses.
Judges work in teams of two: one Technical and one Aesthetic. Technical Judges deduct points for flaws and defects from a perfect score of 50; Aesthetic Judges award points for outstanding characteristics and qualities to a maximum of 50.
- Full wheels or cuts are accepted for judging. Entries shipped should reflect the original form of the cheese, including rind, based on industry norms and the parameters below
- Entries weighing 25 lbs or more, a 5-10 lb cut is sufficient for judging
- Entries weighing less than 25 lbs, but more than 1 lb, please send either a 5-10lb cut or 6 units
- Entries weighing under 1 lb, please send a minimum 6 units
- Information on how and where to send your cheese will be sent 6-8 weeks before judging.
Minimum scores are required to earn awards and each entry is evaluated on its own merit.
Winners of the ACS Judging & Competition will be announced at the ACS Annual Conference, which is held each year in July. Winners present at the Awards Ceremony will be presented a medal honoring their placement. Shortly after the conference, you will receive access to the score sheet(s) for each of your entries, including the judges’ comments, overall scores, and the number of entries per category.
ACS donates the leftover cheese to Loaves and Fishes in Minneapolis.
Yes, please review the linked refund policy.
Judges work in teams of two: one Technical and one Aesthetic. Technical Judges deduct points for flaws and defects from a perfect score of 50; Aesthetic Judges award points for outstanding characteristics and qualities to a maximum of 50.
- Full wheels or cuts are accepted for judging. Entries shipped should reflect the original form of the cheese, including rind, based on industry norms and the parameters below
- Entries weighing 25 lbs or more, a 5-10 lb cut is sufficient for judging
- Entries weighing less than 25 lbs, but more than 1 lb, please send either a 5-10lb cut or 6 units
- Entries weighing under 1 lb, please send a minimum 6 units
- Information on how and where to send your cheese will be sent 6-8 weeks before judging.
Minimum scores are required to earn awards and each entry is evaluated on its own merit.
Winners of the ACS Judging & Competition will be announced at the ACS Annual Conference, which is held each year in July. Winners present at the Awards Ceremony will be presented a medal honoring their placement. Shortly after the conference, you will receive access to the score sheet(s) for each of your entries, including the judges’ comments, overall scores, and the number of entries per category.
ACS donates the leftover cheese to Loaves and Fishes in Minneapolis.
Yes, please review the linked refund policy.
Competition Winner Archive
This collection spans the years 1989-2022. Currently, the years 2000-2019 and 2022-2023 are digitized.
Competition Winner Archive
This collection spans the years 1989-2022. Currently, the years 2000-2019 and 2022-2023 are digitized.
