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| Ricki with her Lifetime Achievement Award at our Sponsor’s Table in the lobby of the 2013 ACS Conference in Madison, Wisconsin |
We Challenge You!
If you’re already a member of the American Cheese Society, you received the message below and we hope you’re ready to send them your cheese(s). If you aren’t a member, it’s time to join so you can enter. Why?
The purpose of a cheese competition is to help the participants become better at their art. A team of incredibly well qualified judges will taste your cheese and give you feedback about it. Where else can you get that?
There are many secondary benefits to entering, like exposure to the wider market, networking with the other entrants, the thrill of being able to say you won in your category and the increase in sales when you mention your awards on your labels.
So, if you’re thinking maybe it’s time you took your cheese to the next level, here it is. What have you got to lose?
American Cheese Society
For Immediate Release
THE AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY ANNOUNCES
CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR THE 2014 JUDGING & COMPETITION
DENVER, CO — April 9, 2014 —The American Cheese Society (ACS) today announces its Call for Entries for the 2014 Judging & Competition. This annual judging of American cheeses and cultured dairy products takes place July 27 and 28, 2014, at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, Calif., immediately prior to the 31st Annual ACS Conference, Celebrating the American Cheese Plate, which will be held from July 29 to August 1 in Sacramento.
The largest competition of its kind, the ACS Judging & Competition saw a record 1,794 entries in 2013, submitted by 257 cheesemakers. As the ACS Judging & Competition returns to California for the first time in more than ten years, participation in 2014 is expected to be stronger than ever. The ACS Judging & Competition Committee has enlisted 38 renowned judges from around the world to evaluate products across 106 different categories. The Judging & Competition recognizes cheeses of the highest quality for their aesthetic and technical merits. Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place are given to the cheeses which receive the highest scores in their category, based on a minimum point threshold. After two intense days of judging, first-place winners in each category are evaluated together, and a “Best of Show” is chosen. Winners will be revealed at the annual ACS Awards Ceremony on Thursday, July 31 in Sacramento.
The 2014 Call for Entries is open through Friday, May 16. The entry fee for each product is $60 through May 9. From May 10 to May 16, the entry fee will increase to $85. ACS is accepting entries via its dedicated online entry site, www.cheesejudging.com. Producers can log into the site to enter new products, or to view previous year’s entries and make edits or additions for 2014.
Registration for the ACS Annual Conference opens May 5, 2014. Individuals who purchase a full conference registration or a Thursday Day Pass can attend the ACS Awards Ceremony on July 31. Individual tickets to the Awards Ceremony may also be purchased by ACS members beginning on May 5.
Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the 2014 ACS Conference & Competition by volunteering (all volunteers receive one complimentary ticket to the Festival of Cheese), purchasing tickets to the Festival of Cheese, and attending the annual Cheese Sale. The Cheese Sale, on August 2, offers the opportunity to purchase artisan cheeses at incredible prices, with all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit American Cheese Education Foundation. Those interested in volunteering must be 18 years of age or older, and are encouraged to sign up for a variety of shifts and events at https://www.cheesesociety.org/conference/volunteer/.
For more information about the 2014 ACS Conference & Competition, please visit the ACS website.
About the American Cheese Society (ACS)
ACS is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of farmstead, artisan and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. At 1,500 members strong, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development, and networking opportunities for cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts, and extended industry. ACS strives to continually raise the quality and availability of cheese in the Americas.
Since its founding in 1983, ACS proudly hosts the foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition. The 2014 ACS Conference & Competition will be held in Sacramento, CA from July 29-August 1, 2014. For more information, visit https://www.cheesesociety.org.
Media passes and photos are available upon request.
Media contacts:
Caitlin Sandberg
Ellipses Public Relations
415-874-9900
caitlin@ellipsespr.com
Diana Haven
Ellipses Public Relations
415-728-5803
diana@ellipsespr.com
