The finalists for the Gouda Cheese Awards have been announced. Following a public tasting by Essensor’s consumer panel, six cheeses have been selected to advance to the grand finale on Thursday morning, May 21, in the heart of historic Gouda. The finals are open to the public and will take place in front of the Goudse Waag, next to the iconic Gouda Cheese Market, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This year there are two categories: Goat Cheese (50+ months aged) and Gouda (48+ months aged). In both categories, three cheeses were voted the tastiest by the public and have thus become finalists.
The consumer panel had quite a lot to taste. In total, nearly 50 cheeses were submitted. The cheeses with the highest ratings have advanced to the finals, where they will be tasted and judged live on stage.
Finalists by category
Gouda Cheese, 48+ months aged:
- Uniekaas 48+ Aged (Uniekaas Holland)
- Subliem Dairy Farm (Dairy Farm)
- Gouda PlanetProof Aged (Velder) from North Holland
Goat cheese, aged 50+:
- Amalthea No. 48 Rich & Creamy (Amalthea Group BV)
- Chevrette Aged (Velder)
- AH Aged Goat Cheese 50+ (Albert Heijn)
During the finals, a panel of experts will taste the six cheeses live on stage. The jury consists of Mayor Pieter Verhoeve, jury chair and avid cheese lover; culinary author and Foodies Magazine editor Bas Erkens; and Jan Haan, co-founder of the Gouda Marokkaas. Bas Erkens will also showcase his creative side by preparing a small dish on stage using one of the cheeses. If you’re lucky, you might even get to taste this dish.
The finals will be hosted by Dorotheé Beens, the regular announcer at the Gouda Cheese Market, alongside co-host Ry Fiere. They will take the audience on a journey through the stories behind the cheeses and their makers.
Visitors can not only look around, but also taste the cheeses and soak up the atmosphere at the historic cheese market. The winners in each category receive gold, silver, or bronze medals and are entitled to promote their cheese as the best in the Netherlands for a year—an honorable and delicious title.
The Gouda Cheese Awards will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the awards ceremony at 12:00 p.m.
