GUGGISBERG WINS MULTIPLE FIRST-PLACE AWARDS AT 2026 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST
MADISON, WI — On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Guggisberg Cheese was awarded “#1 Baby Swiss in the World” and “#1 Swiss in the World” at the 36th biennial World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin. Guggisberg Ziller swept the Baby Swiss category by taking first, second, and third place in the class. Guggisberg Premium Swiss was also awarded first as well as third place in the Rindless Swiss class. Ziller is Guggisberg’s newest Swiss variety, noted for its unique flavor which balances between mild, creamy Baby Swiss and rich, traditional Premium Swiss, ending with a slightly sweet finish.
The contest is judged by a panel of over 60 international industry experts from all over the world, whose professions include cheese graders, cheese buyers, dairy science professors, and researchers. The cheese is graded on flavor, texture, body, appearance, and color. In addition to these characteristics, Swiss cheese is also judged on eye formation, which makes it an especially difficult cheese to perfect.
The World Championship Cheese Contest is the world’s largest technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition, and is hosted by the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association. The contest takes place every-other year, alternating annually with the United States Cheese Championship. Entries are divided into classes and then judged on a scale ranging from one to one hundred by some of the field’s finest professors. The three highest-scoring cheeses in each category are awarded trophies and recognition as the nation’s best. This year’s contest included 3,375 entries from 25 countries and 34 states.
Guggisberg attributes this honor to the craftsmanship and dedication to quality of Guggisberg’s employees, as well as the Grade-A milk supplied by their local farmers.
Guggisberg Cheese, located in Millersburg, Ohio, is the home of the Original Baby Swiss cheese and is known for crafting high-quality, award-winning Swiss cheeses using locally sourced Grade A milk. Guggisberg Cheese remains family-owned and dedicated to quality, craftsmanship, and the heritage of Swiss cheesemaking.