In 2007, Elena Hovagimian was working for Donna Woolam, the Director of Agriculture at The Eastern States Exposition (The Big E). They thought it would be fun (!) to start a cheese competition at the fair. It was a daunting effort, but Elena began collecting all the information she could. She even went to the prestigious American Cheese Society Competition where John Greeley graciously showed
Home Cheese Making Competitions
It’s a wonderful idea and, yet, it seems to be the impossible dream. Why is it a great idea? Cheese making is basically a solitary pursuit and local contests are a great way for cheese makers to get to know each other. Contests provide a way for cheese makers to get feedback from judges (the kind of feedback they don’t get from family and friends).
Judging at the New England Regional Cheese Competition – 2017
This is the eighth year for the cheese competition at the Eastern States Exposition (known as the Big E). The Big E starts in September, but the judging for the competition is always in August. (If this feels like deja-vu to you, it’s because I posted articles about this competition in 2014 (click here) and in 2016 (click here).) I helped out with the judging,
2016 Big E Cheese Competition
A Volunteer’s Dream Come True! If you love cheese, this is the volunteer opportunity you have been waiting for. Of course, you might have to wait a little longer than you wish because the word is out – you work hard for the day of the competition, but then you leave with a LOT of cheese. It’s October now and the competition was in August,
5 Best in Show Winners!
I don’t know about you, but I can’t keep up with all the cheeses in the world! I just don’t have time to check them all out, so I rely on the competitions to guide me. I haven’t gone wrong once by letting the judges screen my choices. So, I’m excited when the results of the American Cheese Society Judging & Competition (often called the
2015 American Cheese Society Conference
The 2015 American Cheese Society Conference was in Providence, Rhode Island this year (the 32nd annual conference). NECS almost always has a sponsor’s table , so we can meet cheese makers and retailers, attend sessions and participate in fun activities. If you haven’t been to one of these fabulous conferences, check out next year’s in Des Moines, Iowa and stop by our table to say
The Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition, 2014
Worst picture ever taken of Elena Hovagimian! There are very few regional cheese competitions held in this country for one very good reason-it’s a LOT of hard work! That’s why it’s amazing to me that the Agriculture Department of the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) took this on five years ago and made it an annual event. The Director, Elena Hovagimian has accomplished
Entering the ACS Competition 2014
Ricki with her Lifetime Achievement Award at our Sponsor’s Table in the lobby of the 2013 ACS Conference in Madison, Wisconsin We Challenge You! If you’re already a member of the American Cheese Society, you received the message below and we hope you’re ready to send them your cheese(s). If you aren’t a member, it’s time to join so you can enter. Why? The purpose