Wisconsin Woman Wins 2025 ‘Young Cheesemonger of the Year’ Award
In an impressive achievement for American cheesemakers, Hanna Lee, a 28-year-old from Wisconsin, has secured the 2025 ‘Young Cheesemonger of the Year’ title. This prestigious recognition took place at the World Cheese Awards in Bern, Switzerland, an event held every November that celebrates the art of cheesemongering globally.
Wisconsin’s Rising Star in Cheesemaking
Hanna Lee serves as a seasonal cheesemaking assistant at Uplands Cheese Company located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Her remarkable journey led her to compete against five other finalists, all of whom demonstrated exceptional skills in various cheesemongering tasks. These included identifying different cheeses, cutting and weighing them accurately, designing creative cheeseboards, and crafting perfect flavor pairings.
Creative Cheeseboard Design
During the competition, Lee’s standout cheeseboard featured a summer birthday theme, incorporating Marieke Gouda from Thorpe. Among her winning flavor pairings, Lee surprised judges with a combination of two types of blue stilton paired with Speculoos cookie butter.
Insights from Hanna Lee
After her victory, Lee participated in an interview with WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” program, discussing the key traits of a successful cheesemonger.
- Curiosity and Knowledge: A passion for learning is essential, as cheese offers a vast array of information from various sources.
- Customer Engagement: Enjoying interactions with customers is vital, as cheesemongering involves significant face-to-face communication.
Lee emphasized the importance of developing a palate for identifying cheeses, acknowledging that this skill improves with experience and tasting a wide variety of cheeses.
Cheeseboard Recommendations for the Holidays
With the holiday season approaching, Lee offered valuable advice for assembling cheese boards:
- Include crowd-pleasing options like gouda and gruyere to cater to different tastes.
- Incorporate elements that add acidity, such as pickles or tart fruits, to enhance flavors and balance richness.
For budget-conscious cheese lovers, Lee recommended trying domestic cheeses, highlighting Wisconsin cheesemakers like Carr Valley. She also suggested exploring options at stores such as Trader Joe’s for affordable cheese selections.
Conclusion
Hanna Lee’s journey showcases the talent and passion present in the American cheesemaking community. As she shares her expertise, her win at the 2025 World Cheese Awards serves as an inspiration for aspiring cheesemongers in Wisconsin and beyond.
