Olivia Haver, affineur at the Farm at Doe Run, and her assistant affineur accepting the award of 1st Place Best in Show.
St. Malachi, an alpine-style cheese from The Farm at Doe Run of Coatesville, PA, was named 1st Place “Best of Show” among 1,454 entries at the American Cheese Society’s (ACS) 2023 Judging & Competition. The results of the competition were announced at a ceremony on July 19 at the “40 Years of Cheese” Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. The Farm at Doe Run received a total of 10 awards—four 1st place, four 2nd place, one 3rd place, and 1st Place Best of Show.
A small farmstead creamery with only 20 cows—as well as a small herd of goats and sheep—the Farm at Doe Run produces a very limited amount of St. Malachi, so it may be difficult to find for sale. When asked if they intend to scale up production, head affineur Olivia Haver said she plans on using her platform to promote artisan cheese in general and is excited to educate would-be customers on other cheeses coming out of Pennsylvania.
The 2nd Place Best of Show went to Cumberland, a Tomme-style cheese from Sequatchie Cove Creamery of Sequatchie, TN. Three cheeses tied for 3rd Place Best of Show: Pleasant Ridge Reserve, a washed rind cheese from Uplands Cheese of Dodgeville, WI; Prairie Tomme, a sheep’s milk cheese from Green Dirt Farm of Weston, MO; and Basket Molded Chevre, a goats’ milk cheese from Pure Luck Dairy of Dripping Springs, TX.
All five of the “Best of Show” cheeses were produced by independent cheesemakers, a fact ACS President Mike Koch was eager to recognize. “This class of winners exemplifies the functional, and not-so-functional, dynamics in this industry we need to deal with,” Koch said referencing the challenges faced by independently owned operations. Issues surrounding profitability, climate change, diversity, and sustainability have been hot topics at this year’s conference.
The ACS Judging and Competition shines the spotlight on American cheesemakers by showcasing their talents and work as leaders within the industry for their excellent cheesemaking. Click here for the full list of the 2023 winners and past winners.
Josie Krogh
Josie Krogh is culture's Digital Strategy Lead. She earned her master's degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics from The University of Georgia. Josie developed a love of food while working at farmstands in the D.C. area as a young adult, and discovered her love of cheese while living and working on a dairy farm on Martha's Vineyard. Josie currently lives in Catskill, NY.
