On October 28, in Norway, the international cheese competition, the World Cheese Awards 2023, officially concluded. This year, 4,502 cheeses from 43 countries around the world were presented, including 23 from Ukraine.
The participation of Ukrainian cheeses in the competition was made possible with the support of Switzerland as part of the Swiss-Ukrainian Quality FOOD Trade Program and the Western NIS Enterprise Fund, along with Ardis Group.
Ardis Group and the ProCheese cheese enthusiasts' community, as the official representatives of Ukraine at the WCA, are delighted to announce that Ukrainian cheeses have won 13 awards in the host country, which is Norway this year.
"For the second year in a row, Ukrainian cheeses are winning the hearts of the global cheese community. Winning 13 awards is an excellent result at such a massive competition. Congratulations to all participants and winners. You are helping the world discover Ukraine as a country of bold and professional individuals," emphasized Oksana Chernova, cheese expert from ProCheese and the Ukrainian judge at the World Cheese Awards.
Bronze medals were awarded to:
- "Lel'," Kirovohrad region - smoked mozzarella.
- "Zinka," Kyiv region - "Gouda with paprika," "Semi-hard cheese of medium maturity," and a cheese with white mold similar to "Camembert" made from goat's milk.
- "Syroman," Kyiv region - goat milk cheese with white mold and the addition of beetroot "Sofia."
Silver medals were awarded to:
- "Garbuzovyi Rai," Lviv region - aged fresh cheese "Hoverla" and cheese with white mold "Forest Song."
- "Mukko," Lviv region - aged "Stary Stryi with coffee" cheese and semi-hard "Mukko" cheese with truffle.
- "Zinka," Kyiv region - aged "Ukrainsky" goat cheese.
- "Dzhersey," Lviv region - "Massimo" cheese with washed rind.
Gold medals were awarded to:
- "Stanislavska Syrovarnia," Ivano-Frankivsk region - semi-hard goat cheese "Motria."
- "Zinka," Kyiv region - aged goat cheese "Hard with fenugreek."
"This is also the result of the hard work of the Ardis Group team and months of preparation. I am proud of the team and immensely grateful to all our partners for their support," added Natalia Kagadiy, the Director of the ProCheese department at Ardis Group.