WORLD CHEESE AWARDS 2024

The World Cheese Awards is an annual global event hosted by various nations in collaboration with the Guild of Fine Food. The awards aim to highlight local cheesemaking, food and drink tourism, and cultural heritage.

ICEX will participate with a dedicated stand showcasing a total of 21 Spanish cheeses. An expert cheesemonger will be present at the stand to prepare samples and explain the unique characteristics of each cheese to visitors. The World Cheese Awards organizers will bring groups of international buyers and key opinion leaders to the ICEX stand, providing them with an opportunity to experience Spanish cheese up close.

Each year, the event brings together cheesemakers, retailers, buyers, and food critics from around the world to judge over 4,000 cheeses from more than 40 countries.

Celebrating its 36th year, the World Cheese Awards is the largest event dedicated solely to cheese. Last year, the competition in Trondheim, Norway, saw a record-breaking 4,502 cheeses arrive from across the globe by boat, truck, train, and plane. A team of 264 judges, including technical experts, graders, buyers, retailers, and food writers, tasted and assessed all entries in a single day. A super jury of 16 judges then gathered to select the World Champion Cheese.

The event will be open to the public, industry professionals, and media, featuring a variety of activities for food lovers and cheese enthusiasts, including cooking demonstrations and evening entertainment. On Friday, November 15, visitors will have the chance to watch the World Cheese Awards Super Jury select the World Champion Cheese in a live judging show starting at 5 p.m.

The Guild of Fine Food and its partners will also host cheese tours around the World Cheese Awards arena on Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17. Tours will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, on Friday, November 15, visitors can view the judging from a mezzanine gallery and watch the live event unfold.