Bonne Bouche, an Aged Goat Cheese by the Vermont Butter and Cheese Company of Websterville, Vermont, was judged Best in Show at The Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition held at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass.

A total of 119 entries competed in the fourth annual event held August 26, 2011. Thirty three cheese makers from throughout New England vied for honors in sixteen categories. Entries were judged on texture and body, aroma, appearance & rind development and flavor. 

Five professionals in cheese and food-related fields had the task of selecting the winners. The professionals included Kate Arding, co-founder of Culture, the acclaimed first national consumer cheese magazine; Kerry Kaylegian, Director of Industrial Outreach and Pilot Plant Manager at the Penn State University Department of Food Science; Abby Gregory, Cheese Buyer for #9 Park of Boston; Dennis D’Amico, Senior Research Scientist for the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese at the University of Vermont; Molly Hopper, Marketing and Guest Relations Manager, Cheese Spire of Eastern Standard, Boston and John Miller, operator for The Farmstead at Mine Brook home of Goat Rising and Jersey Maid Cheeses in Charlemont, Massachusetts.

A total of 58 medals were awarded – 12 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze. Gold Medal winners had to receive a score of 95 points or greater and are listed as follows:

Class 3 – Swiss Style

Robinson Farm, of Hardwick, Mass., for Robinson Family Swiss

Class 9 – Washed Rind Cheese

Boston Post Dairy LLC, of Enosburg Falls, Vt., for Eleven Brothers

Cato Corner Farm LLC, of Colchester, Conn., for Hooligan

Robinson Farm, of Hardwick, Mass., for Tekenink Tomme and Barn Dance

Consider Bardwell Farm, of West Pawlet, Vt., for Pawlet

Class 10 – Flavored Soft Cheese — All Milks

York Hill Farm, of New Sharon, Maine, for Chevre Roll with Dill & Garlic

Class 12 – Feta

Vermont Butter & Cheese Company, of Websterville, Vt.., for Feta - Goats Milk

Class 13 – Mold Ripened

Cellars at Jasper Hill, of Greensboro, Vt., for Moses Sleeper

Vermont Butter & Cheese Company, of Websterville, Vt., for Bonne Bouche

Class 14 – Open Class

Grafton Village Cheese Company, of Grafton, Vt., for Bismark (Sheep) and Cave Aged Barn Dance (Sheep/Cow)

The competition was open to cheeses made by New England licensed cheese makers in a licensed dairy facility.

A complete list of results from the competition are available online at Eastern States Exposition’s website, www.TheBigE.com/cheese. All medal winners will be showcased and on display in the new Mallary Cheese Shoppe, sponsored by Keep Local Farms, during The Big E in West Springfield, Mass., Sept. 16-Oct. 2.