OREGON CHEESE GUILD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Amy Wood
Harvest PR & Marketing, Inc.
503.274.0086 or amy@harvest-pr.com

Best in Show, Best Cheese Monger Elevate Oregon’s Artisan Cheese Industry
Collective accolades generate national recognition for Oregon cheese makers

PORTLAND, Ore. (November 23, 2011) – Oregon is quickly rising to triple-threat status, as its artisan cheese industry joins the already acclaimed craft beer and wine industries in acquiring multiple honors. Last month’s “Best in Show” win for River’s Edge Chevre (Logsden, Ore.) at the 2011 American Dairy Goat Association’s Cheese Competition caps an impressive year for Oregon cheeses, following Rogue Creamery’s (Central Point, Ore.) earlier “Best in Show” in the 2011 American Cheese Society Judging  & Competition. Moreover, Portland’s favorite cheese monger, Steve Jones of Cheese Bar, bested cheese experts worldwide to win the 2nd Annual Cheese Monger Invitational in New York earlier this year.

“This year’s results solidify Oregon artisan cheese makers as leaders in their craft, and present an opportunity to celebrate their distinct talent and quality dairy farms in the Pacific Northwest,” said Christine Hyatt, president of the American Cheese Society.

The latest award is the first Best in Show win for River’s Edge Chevre; Rogue Creamery’s win is its second Best in Show in the past three years. Overall, Oregon artisan cheese makers took home 18 awards at the 2011 American Cheese Society Judging & Competition held in Montreal, and 13 awards at the 2011 American Dairy Goat Association’s Cheese Competition held in Michigan (more than any state), demonstrating Oregon’s growing presence in the industry.

Oregon cheese making’s biggest advocate, Jones serves as cheese plate architect for some of the city’s most beloved restaurants – when not serving his own loyal customers their favorite Oregon cheeses and accompaniments at Cheese Bar in Southeast Portland.

Oregon’s artisanal cheese movement coincides with national trends in the category, which is experiencing a 15 percent increase in demand annually. To nurture continued awareness of Oregon’s artisan cheese industry, the Oregon Cheese Guild is launching a new statewide Oregon Cheese Trail in a few months and continues to support annual specialty events, such as The Wedge and Oregon Cheese Festival, attracting record-setting crowds.

 

About the Oregon Cheese Guild

Founded in 2006, the Oregon Cheese Guild is dedicated to the art and craft of making cheese. The Guild is a collaborative effort to help cheese makers network, create educational opportunities and benefit from participating in economies of scale. The Guild is committed to growing its loyal base of artisan cheese lovers by educating consumers on high-quality handmade, farmstead and specialty cheeses. www.oregoncheeseguild.org.

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