Swiss Cheese Awards 2024
The Swiss Cheese Awards 2024: Raclette in the spotlight
The Swiss Cheese Awards 2024, the prestigious national competition for Swiss cheese, recently unveiled its long-awaited results. This biennial competition, which showcases Swiss cheese excellence, once again demonstrated the richness and diversity of Swiss cheeses.
This year, special attention was paid to raclette cheeses, a category that generated great interest among participants and cheese lovers.
The competition with jury with Fromarte
The Swiss Cheese Awards Raclette ( Swiss Cheese Championship/Schweizer Käsemeisterschaft) are organized every two years by FROMARTE , the umbrella association of Swiss cheese artisans.
The 2022 edition of the Swiss Cheese Awards 2022 took place in Le Châble, Valais. The 2024 edition, in Bern and Lugano, saw the participation of hundreds of cheeses, each evaluated by a jury of experts according to strict criteria of quality, taste, and texture.
Categories of raclette cheeses
This year, raclette cheeses were particularly honored, with three distinct categories:
- Raclette from Valais AOP
- Raclette and Bratkäse (without flavored additives)
- Raclette cheeses with flavored additives
This diversity reflects the richness of the range of raclette cheeses on the Swiss market, ranging from traditional versions to more innovative creations.
The big winners in the raclette category
Raclette from Valais AOP
In the prestigious hard Raclette du Valais AOP category of the Swiss Cheese Awards Winners , it was Swiss champion Frédéric Stalder with "Champoussin Valdor", from La Ferme à Gaby in Champoussin/Val-d'Illiez, who won first place.
This cheese embodies the excellence of the Valais cheese-making tradition, Switzerland, with its authentic taste and characteristic melting texture.
The places of honor in Switzerland were awarded as follows:
- 2nd place: "Tanay Valdor" by Gaëtan Cardinaux, Alpage de Tanay
- 3rd place: "Bagnes 4 Valdor" by Eddie Rasera, Cheese shop/käserei in Liddes
- 4th place: "Au Arbignon" by Jean-Henri Filliez, Alpage de l'Au d'Arbignon
- Raclette and Bratkäse (without flavored additives)
In this category, which highlights traditional hard Raclette cheeses, the Swiss Champion "Fromage à Raclette de Gumefens" by Grégory Maisonneuve, from Fromagerie/käserei Maisonneuve SA in Gumefens, took first place.
This cheese won over the jury with its exceptional quality and refined taste.
The Swiss podium is completed by:
- 2nd place: "Raclette La Côte-aux-Fées" by Simon Miguet, Cheese Shop/Cheese Factory La Côte-aux-Fées
- 3rd place: “Raclette Suisse” by Christian Oberli, Käserei Oberli Rislen AG
Raclette cheeses with flavored additives
In this innovative category, the "Einsiedler Raclette Kräuter" by Dominik Schmidt of Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln AG in Einsiedeln took top honors. This herb-flavored cheese stood out for its originality and balanced flavor. Serving....
The other Swiss winners are:
- 2nd place: “Wildberg Raclette Chili” by Roland Rüegg, Wildberg Käse AG
- 3rd place: “Raclette Knoblauch” by Peter Strähl, Strähl Käse AG
The importance of raclette in Swiss cheese tradition
Hard raclette, much more than just a cheese, is a true institution in Switzerland. Originating from the canton of Valais, this semi-hard cheese has conquered the taste buds of the Swiss and cheese lovers around the world.
Its popularity continues to grow, as evidenced by the diversity of raclette cheeses presented at the Swiss Cheese Awards 2024.
Traditional raclette, made from raw cow's milk, is characterized by its melting texture and balanced taste.
Raclette du Valais AOP, in particular, benefits from a protected designation of origin which guarantees its authenticity and superior quality.
Innovation in the world of raclette
The Swiss Cheese Awards 2024 also highlighted the creativity of Swiss cheesemakers "swiss concept" in the field of raclette.
The category of raclette cheeses with flavored additives is a testament to this trend towards innovation.
Flavors such as chili, garlic, herbs, and truffles now enrich the traditional offering, thus meeting the varied tastes of modern consumers.
This diversification of the offer not only allows us to satisfy customers looking for new taste experiences, but also to promote the know-how of Swiss cheesemakers.
It demonstrates the Swiss cheese industry's ability to adapt to market trends while preserving its centuries-old traditions.
The impact of the Swiss Cheese Awards on the cheese industry
The Swiss Cheese Awards play a crucial role in promoting and enhancing Swiss cheeses (raclette, Gruyère, goat's cheese, etc.) and in strengthening structures.
For cheesemakers, winning this competition represents recognition of their work and expertise. It's also an excellent marketing tool, allowing winners to stand out in a highly competitive market.
For consumers, the results of the Swiss Cheese Raclette Awards serve as a guide in their choices, directing them towards excellent products.
This competition thus contributes to maintaining and raising quality standards in the Swiss cheese industry.
Raclette, a constantly evolving culinary heritage
The strong presence of raclette in the Swiss Cheese Awards 2024 underlines the importance of this cheese in Swiss culinary heritage.
Although deeply rooted in tradition, raclette also knows how to reinvent itself to meet the expectations of today's consumers.
Swiss cheesemakers, while respecting traditional manufacturing methods, do not hesitate to innovate, whether in production techniques or in the flavors offered.
This ability to combine tradition and innovation is one of the strengths of the Swiss cheese industry, enabling it to maintain its leading position on the international market.
Conclusion
The Swiss Cheese Awards 2024 have once again demonstrated the excellence and diversity of Swiss cheese production.
The highlighting of raclette cheeses in this edition demonstrates the importance of this iconic product in Swiss culinary culture.
Whether in its traditional Valais AOP version or in more innovative variations, raclette continues to seduce palates and stimulate the creativity of Swiss cheesemakers.
The results of this prestigious competition only confirm the prominent place that Switzerland occupies in the world of cheese.
For cheese lovers, the Swiss Cheese Awards 2024 offer an exceptional panorama of the best that Switzerland has to offer when it comes to raclette.
They are an invitation to discover or rediscover this cheese in all its forms, from the most classic to the most original.
As we eagerly await the next edition of the Swiss Cheese Awards, one thing is certain: raclette, in all its diversity, will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of the Swiss and cheese lovers around the world.
