The American Cheese Society Judging and Competition, a technical and aesthetic evaluation of American-made cheeses, will take place June 9-13, 2025, at the Huntington Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis campus. The Judging and Competition (J&C) is now held separately from the Annual Conference, with the Award Ceremony being held during the Conference. You can view previous winners here.

If you have any questions about entering the ACS Judging & Competition, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us. You may also find your answer(s) in the Frequently Asked Questions. 

2025 IMPORTANT DATES AND COST

Call For Entries: January 13 – March 26, 2025

• Early Bird Pricing: Jan 13 – Feb 13: $75/entry
• Regular Pricing: Feb 14 – Mar 26: $100/entry

Competition: June 9-13, 2025

• Receiving: June 9 – 11
  Judging: June 12 – 13
  
  

The ACS Competition 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. Growing from just 89 entries 37 years ago, the ACS J&C welcomed 1,596 cheeses and cultured dairy product entries in 122 categories in 2024 and awarded 383 medals.

ACS celebrates and respects the craft of every cheesemaker who enters the ACS Judging & Competition. It is the ACS members’ efforts that continue to collectively advance the quality and character of American cheeses.

Note: only ACS organizational members are eligible to submit their cheese into the competition. You can read more and join ACS here.