Gouda Cheese Awards

Gouda Cheese Awards 2026: lineup announced!

The competition for the tastiest cheese in the Netherlands will kick off again in 2026. The coveted Gouda Cheese Awards will be presented in the categories of Gouda 48+ matured and Goat Cheese 50+ matured. Registration is open via this registration form.

Only three finalists per category will advance to the grand finale in Gouda on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

The Gouda Cheese Awards is a major and unique cheese competition in the Netherlands.
Unlike a technical cheese inspection, it is a neutral taste test: consumers taste and judge the cheeses. You can experience the exciting finale live. And where else but in Gouda? The setting is the traditional Gouda Cheese Market, where farmers and traders still negotiate prices with a simple handshake.

A five-member VIP jury will judge the finalist cheeses in front of the audience. Which celebrity will be on the jury this time remains a surprise.

RegistrationParticipation in the Gouda Cheese Awards is open to all Dutch cheese brands.

Producers, trading companies, and retailers: anyone can participate as long as their entry complies with the contest rules. For more information and the contest rules, please contact us at info@goudacheeseawards.nl.

Preliminary RoundOn the first day of the competition, a whole cheese is submitted. It is cut by the master cheesemaker and presented anonymously to Essensor. Essensor conducts qualitative and quantitative taste tests on behalf of companies and institutions. In these tests, consumers serve as the tasters. Essensor has a panel of over 800 people who are skilled at tasting and can clearly articulate their impressions. All participants receive a jury report from Essensor after the event.

Grand FinaleOnly three finalists per category will advance to the grand finale in Gouda. The winners will receive a gold, silver, or bronze award and will be able to call their cheese the best in the Netherlands in their category for a year. They will also have the opportunity to showcase their products at events such as the Food Specialties Trade Fair in Gorinchem.