Brie-lliant cheesemakers compete in Madison

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- In Madison, it's the wrong week to be lactose-intolerant.

More than 3,300 entries from 32 states and 25 different countries are competing in the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest, March 5-7 at the Monona Terrance Community and Convention Center.

Wisconsinites are known for loving cheese, but what separates a good cheese from the best in the world? That is what judges like Drew Kordus have to decide. Kordus says he has trained his palate over many years, and looks for imperfections in appearance, smell, texture, and taste.

"This is an aged gouda, so you're going to have a nuttier flavor there," Kordus said.

Every kind of cheese imaginable is represented in the contest. Over three days, the 3,300 entries are whittled down to 20 champions.

"It's very hard to find the perfect piece of cheese," Kordus said.

This is a world contest. Judges, like the entries, hail from more than a dozen countries. Dominique Delugeau was born in France, but moved to the US 37 years ago, and now calls Milwaukee home.

"My father was in the cheese business, so I guess somewhere it's in my blood," he said.

While the competition and the competitors are friendly, Delugeau says there is a lot on the line for the winners. The contest carries weight with potential customers, and a win could mean a huge spike in business.

"If you are a small cheesemaker, you better ger ready," he said.

Steve Stettler of Decatur Dairy says his company grew after getting a win.

"Well, I entered this contest for 17 years and never won, so when we won, we were on the smaller side, probably half the size we are now," he said.

When you think of "cheeseheads," your mind might take you to Lambeau Field. But there are some cheeseheads in Madison too, and they say the best cheese on Earth is found at this contest.

"We call it the Super Bowl of the cheese industry," Kordus said.