When roughly 1,600 cheeses and cultured dairy products go head-to-head in blind judging, standing out isn't luck—it's craft. At the 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Competition in Louisville, Kentucky, Thorp, Wisconsin's Marieke Gouda did exactly that, walking away with nine honors, a Highest Scoring award, and a coveted spot in the Top 11 Best of Show.
For procurement directors, cheesemongers, and menu-builders reading the tea leaves on their next specialty dairy spend, that's a signal worth paying attention to.
What Marieke Gouda Won in 2026
Out of approximately 1,600 entries across more than 100 categories, Marieke Gouda earned eight medals plus the Highest Scoring – American Original Award for Marieke Golden, and recognition in the Top 11 Best of Show. Here's how the medals broke down:
- First-place gold: Premium Gouda (12–18 months), Hatch Pepper Spread, and Marieke Golden
- Second-place silver: Belegen, Honey Clover Spread, and Marieke Golden
- Third place: Marieke Gouda Young (2–4 months) and Marieke Golden
Marieke Golden's repeated appearance across every tier—plus that Highest Scoring – American Original nod—makes it the clear standout of the haul.
Why the ACS Competition Carries Weight
The American Cheese Society Competition is among the most respected cheese contests in North America. Winners are determined through blind judging that scores cheeses and cultured dairy products on flavor, aroma, texture, appearance, and overall craftsmanship—an evaluation designed to surface the highest standards in cheesemaking.
The accompanying ACS Conference gathers the full ecosystem of the specialty cheese world: cheesemakers, cheesemongers, affineurs, retailers, buyers, distributors, educators, and dairy professionals trading ideas and pushing the craft forward.
"Being recognized by the American Cheese Society is an incredible honor because it comes from some of the most knowledgeable and respected experts in our industry," said Marieke Penterman, founder and owner of Marieke Gouda. "What makes ACS so special isn't just the awards, it's the people. Every year I leave inspired by the passion of this community. It's a place where everyone, regardless of experience, comes together to learn from one another. And these awards belong to our entire team back in Thorp. None of this is possible without our passionate and dedicated Marieke Gouda team, along with everyone who helps support our cheese on the shelf. I'm incredibly grateful for what we accomplish together."
Two Decades of Dutch Tradition Meets Wisconsin Dairy
The 2026 wins land at a milestone moment: Marieke Gouda is celebrating 20 years of cheesemaking, two decades of blending authentic Dutch technique with Wisconsin's deep dairy heritage. Founded by Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Marieke Penterman and using milk from its own dairy farm, the company produced its first batch of Gouda in 2006.
Since then, the farmstead operation has collected hundreds of national and international awards and built a reputation for handcrafted quality—the kind of provenance story that resonates with today's local-sourcing-minded operators and shoppers alike.
Why It Matters
For foodservice buyers and specialty retailers, ACS recognition is more than a ribbon—it's third-party validation you can put to work. Here's the practical takeaway:
- De-risk your specialty cheese sourcing. Blind-judged, expert-vetted wins give buyers confidence when adding a new SKU to a cheese case, board program, or menu.
- Merchandise the story. "Award-winning," "farmstead," "Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker," and "own-farm milk" are ready-made shelf-talkers and menu callouts that justify premium pricing.
- Lean into range. With winners spanning aged Gouda, young Gouda, and flavored spreads (Hatch Pepper, Honey Clover), operators can build a single-supplier program that covers cheese boards, cooking applications, and grab-and-go.
As diners keep gravitating toward provenance and craft, a decorated domestic Gouda maker offers a compelling alternative to imports—strong on story, consistent on quality, and increasingly proven on the competition stage. For a look at how flavor and local roots are reshaping menus, see our coverage of why local ingredients belong on today's menu and the craft cheese innovation coming out of Wisconsin creameries.
Explore the Award-Winning Lineup
To learn more or purchase Marieke Gouda's award-winning cheeses, visit mariekegouda.com. Are ACS honors influencing your specialty cheese buying? Which of these winners would you feature first? Weigh in with a comment below.
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.
