2026 World Championship Cheese Contest Gold & Silver Wins

We’re Celebrating Our Award-Winning Dairy

If you’re craving award-winning cheese and cream cheese spreads that bring big flavor to everyday bites, we’ve got good news: Tillamook earned one Gold and two Silver honors at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest.

The World Championship Cheese Contest—hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association—is one of the most respected dairy competitions in the world. An international panel of judges evaluates entries on flavor, texture, appearance and overall finish. 

Meet our 2026 Cheese and Cream Cheese Spread Winners

• Gold Award — Class Natural Sliced Cheese — Tillamook Spicy Colby Jack Slices

• Silver Award — Open Class: Smoked Hard Cheeses — Tillamook Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar

• Silver Award — Class Cream Cheese Spreads — Tillamook Seriously Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread

What These Wins Mean for You

Whether you’re building the ultimate sandwich, upgrading snack time or spreading something sweet on a bagel, these awards spotlight what we care about most: uncompromising quality and bold flavor. 

“These wins reflect our dedication to making dairy with uncompromising quality, from block to slice to spread,” said Jill Allen, our Research & Development Director of Cheese and Product Excellence. “From our Spicy Colby Jack Slices to our Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar and Seriously Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread, we’re honored to be recognized for our achievements in dairy excellence with products that deliver bold flavor." 

Where To Buy Award-Winning Dairy From Tillamook

You can find Tillamook dairy nationwide at many major grocery stores (including Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, and Publix). Head to FindTillamook.com to find our dairy near you. And for more fan-favorite flavors, recipes and all things dairy, explore more on Tillamook.com.

Try Them Like This (You’ll Want Seconds)

• Tillamook Spicy Colby Jack Slices: Melt onto burgers, breakfast sandwiches or quesadillas for creamy bites that bring the heat. 

• Tillamook Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar: Layer onto grilled cheese, cube for a snack board or grate over chili for a smoky, extra-sharp finish.

• Tillamook Seriously Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread: Spread on bagels and toast, swirl into oatmeal or dip strawberries and graham crackers for an easy, sweet bite. 

FAQ: Award-Winning Dairy + The 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest

What did Tillamook win at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest? We earned three honors total: one Gold Award in the Natural Sliced Cheese class and two Silver Awards in the Smoked Hard Cheeses and Cream Cheese Spreads classes. 

Which Tillamook products won awards? Tillamook Spicy Colby Jack Slices won Gold. Tillamook Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar won Silver, and Tillamook Seriously Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread won Silver.

What is the World Championship Cheese Contest?
It’s an international dairy competition hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, where expert judges score products across many categories for factors like flavor and texture. 

Where can I buy award-winning dairy from Tillamook? Use FindTillamook.com to locate it near you, or browse more at Tillamook.com.