When more than 1,600 entries from over 200 creameries across the Americas land in front of expert judges, a single ribbon is a badge of honor. Three first-place awards? That's a statement.
At the 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging & Competition, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese of Waterloo, Wisconsin delivered one of its strongest showings to date—capturing three first-place wins and an additional third-place finish across some of the industry's most competitive fresh-cheese categories.
The 2026 ACS Wins
The honors were announced during the American Cheese Society's annual conference, where a panel of expert judges evaluated entries across hundreds of cheese and cultured dairy product categories. Widely regarded as one of the premier events in the cheese industry, the ACS Judging & Competition is a proving ground for creameries chasing national recognition.
Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese took home:
- First Place – Mascarpone and Cream Cheese (Class: Mascarpone)
- First Place – Fresh Mozzarella Under 8oz (Class: Fresh Mozzarella Bocconcini)
- First Place – Cooking Hispanic Cheese (Class: Oaxaca Knot)
- Third Place – Cheese Marinated in Liquid (Class: Marinated Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine)
"To be recognized with three first-place awards at one of the most respected cheese competitions is an incredible achievement for our team," said Roseanne Crave, sales and marketing manager at Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese. "We're especially proud that our fresh cheese program continues to be recognized among the very best, and we're grateful to everyone on our team whose dedication makes achievements like this possible."
From Farm to Fresh Cheese
Crave Brothers has built a national reputation for fresh mozzarella, mascarpone and specialty cheeses—all crafted with fresh milk from the family's dairy farm in Waterloo. The Crave family farms 2,500 acres of productive land in south-central Wisconsin, growing soybeans, corn and alfalfa as nutritious feed for their Holstein cows.
Sustainability runs through the operation, from a biodigester to water recovery and recycling. Crave Brothers Farm LLC and Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese LLC use sustainable practices in their everyday operations, producing Fresh Mozzarella, Mascarpone, Oaxaca, and Farmer's Rope String Cheese.
Why It Matters
For chefs, procurement directors, and institutional buyers, ACS medals are more than bragging rights—they're a vetted shortcut through the noise. A first-place finish in categories like fresh mozzarella and mascarpone is third-party validation that a supplier can deliver consistency at the level a menu demands.
Here's the practical takeaway for operators:
- De-risk your sourcing. Award-winning, farmstead-produced cheese offers a documented quality story you can carry straight to guests and onto menus.
- Lean into the local-and-sustainable angle. Single-source milk from the family farm and sustainable practices give restaurant marketing teams a genuine narrative diners increasingly reward.
- Think beyond the caprese. The Oaxaca Knot's win in the Cooking Hispanic Cheese class points to versatility across Italian, Mexican, and comfort-food menus—useful for operators building flexible, cross-cuisine programs.
As fresh, better-for-you, and traceable ingredients keep climbing the priority list in the foodservice industry, wins like these help buyers separate marketing claims from proven performance.
The Bottom Line
Three firsts at one of North America's toughest cheese competitions is a strong signal that Crave Brothers' fresh-cheese program is firing on all cylinders—and a reason for operators to give it a look when refreshing their dairy lineup.
Sourcing award-winning cheese or building a menu around fresh, local dairy? Explore more of our coverage on standout dairy makers, from LaClare Creamery's ube goat cheese to why local sourcing is winning on today's menus—then tell us in the comments which cheeses are driving your menu right now.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
